'To not see her smiling and happy face anymore is heartbreaking': Mother pays tribute to 14-year-old girl killed on Walsall railway crossing
The young girl who was killed when she was hit by a train in Walsall has been named as 14-year-old Sarah Athersmith.
Sarah's family today paid tribute to the 'beautiful' teenager following her death on the railway near Bescot Stadium on September 26.
In a statement, Sarah's mother Susan said: "Sarah was a beautiful, kind and funny girl who loved her family. She was the type of person that once you met you would never forget.
“Losing a daughter at the age of 14 years is something that you can never imagine. I will never get to see her grow up and fulfil her potential in life.
“Outside of school she had a close group of friends and she had a love of going to visit and fuss some horses near to her home. This gave her so much happiness and joy.
“She was a kind and gentle girl who will be missed so much by her family. She has been taken from us at such a young age with her whole life in front of her. To not see her smiling and happy face around anymore is heart-breaking for everyone who knew her.
“We are overwhelmed by the support from friends, family and other services that are helping us to come to terms with what has happened to our daughter. To know how much she was loved and cared about is touching and warming to us as a family in this devastating time.
“We hope this tribute will help the memory of my daughter live on with people and help them remember her for the amazing person she was. We will all always love and miss Sarah and will carry her with us forever.
“We would appreciate at this moment in time to be allowed to grieve as a family and ask that people respect the need for us to find the strength we need in these tragic circumstances to come to terms with what has happened."
Since the tragic death, Network Rail has claimed that the Wallows Lane footpath crossing, where Sarah lost her life, was recommended for closure back in 2014.
It said it urged Walsall Council to close the crossing three years ago for safety reasons. The council confirmed discussions had taken place but added no formal application for the closure had ever been submitted by Network Rail.
