He was only 11 — a gifted young footballer, a dedicated Deacon, and the light of his family’s life. Now, his devastated parents are facing an unimaginable tragedy after their son was killed in a South London accident earlier this year.
On 23 January 2025, Jaiden Shehata set off for school the same way he always did.
Wearing his school uniform and a hooded jacket, the 11-year-old left home shortly before 8 a.m. and followed his usual path — a footpath level crossing near Kenley in the London Borough of Croydon. It was a familiar journey he had taken countless times.
But what should have been a normal walk to school ended in heartbreaking loss. As Jaiden stepped onto the Bourneview footpath crossing, a passenger train travelling at around 80 km/h (50 mph) approached.
According to findings from the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB), the train’s onboard CCTV captured Jaiden walking steadily, focused on a glowing object in his hands — most likely his mobile phone. His hood was up, further limiting his ability to see around him.
‘He Had No Chance to React’: RAIB Describes the Final Seconds
The RAIB states that the train driver immediately sounded the horn and hit the emergency brake the moment he saw Jaiden. But it wasn’t enough. Jaiden briefly lifted his head, but there was no time for him to escape. The left front corner of the train struck him, causing fatal injuries.
Investigators wrote, “There is no evidence that [Jaiden] was aware of the approaching train before the warning horn sounded,” noting he was “probably distracted” by his phone.
‘Jaiden Loved to Make Others Smile’: Family Shares a Heartbreaking Tribute
On 18 November, Jaiden’s family issued a deeply emotional tribute on the British Transport Police website.
“We are absolutely devastated at the loss of our son,” the tribute read. “Jaiden loved to spread happiness and always had a smile on his face.”
They remembered him as joyful, gentle, and thoughtful — a proud Chelsea supporter, a skilled young footballer, and a boy whose faith was central to his life.
“Jaiden’s other passion was his faith and Church. He had been a Deacon since the age of four,” they wrote, describing him as “the most kind-hearted and caring boy.”
His loss has left them shattered. “We are lost in our grief,” the family added.
Calls for Immediate School and Rail Safety Changes
Following Jaiden’s death, the RAIB has issued three significant recommendations aimed at improving safety for children and young people near rail lines:
1. Updating School Curriculum:
Educational authorities should work with rail infrastructure managers to incorporate local, age-appropriate railway safety lessons into the school curriculum.
2. Improving Warning Visibility at Crossings:
Network Rail, along with the Rail Safety and Standards Board, should make level crossings more visible and noticeable — especially for distracted users like children.
3. Understanding Youth Risk Perception:
Investigators recommend examining how young people perceive danger at level crossings and assessing whether different safety approaches are necessary.
The RAIB also called for a new learning point to evaluate what additional steps may be taken at crossings where meeting current safety standards is challenging.