RAIL controllers believed police carried out a walk of the tracks to look for trespassers the night a Weymouth teenager tragically died, an inquest heard.
Tim Daniels, who was the Wessex Incident Controller for Network Rail at the time of the incident in March 2023, gave evidence at the inquest into the death of 15-year-old Roxy Phillips who died from injuries caused by electrocution after coming into contact with an electrified rail line.
The power to the line had been switched off for a while but was switched on again which was when Roxy died.
Before her death, police had been made aware of young people walking near the line and Dorset Police officers were sent to look for them. After scanning the track from a bridge, they left with the understanding that British Transport Police officers were on the way.
At 1.12am, Mr Daniels spoke with Dorset Police to confirm the electricity to the track had been switched off.
In the call Mr Daniels said: "I can confirm... it is switched off at Weymouth. I am happy to give access to police to access the tracks so they can start an investigatory walk."
He explained a manager from Network Rail would be attending from Bournemouth with an estimated time of arrival of around 2.15am.
Mr Daniels told the inquest: "It was my understanding I have given police officers permission to gain access to the tracks to remove trespassers from the track, a suitable section of the track had been walked, and trespassers would be taken safely away from the track."
At 1.14am, Mr Daniels spoke with British Transport Police (BTP) to inform them of a trespass incident.
During this call he told BTP that Dorset Police had been given permission to walk the tracks.
Later in the call, Mr Daniels said: "I'm hoping that Dorset Police will mop this one up for us."
He explained this meant he hoped they would deal with the incident for them.
Mr Daniels said: "My understanding was a track walk had taken place from Weymouth Station to the bridge. During that time they had not found trespassers on the line. They reported to me there were multiple places that they could leave the tracks."
He added: "My understanding was that Dorset Police had been deployed to track down the trespassers."
Rachel Griffin, Senior Coroner for Dorset, asked what action Mr Daniels took after he discovered the trespassers were children.
He said: "Whether they had been a child or an adult, we were looking to close down the incident. There were signs they had egressed from the railway lines. I had the belief there was no-one on the infrastructure."
The inquest previously heard that PC Chudley of Dorset Police believed there was no immediate risk to life because the power had been turned off.
Mr Daniels said: "I was not aware that this played a part in their decision making."
It was also revealed the electricity was not turned off for the safety of the trespassers but rather police officers in accordance with company policy.
Mrs Griffin asked if the reason the electricity switch-off was proposed in these circumstances was to protect the lives of the emergency services.
Mr Daniels said: "It was to facilitate them access," to which Mrs Griffin said: "To prevent them from harm?"
Mr Daniels said: "Yes."
Mrs Griffin further asked if Mr Daniels was made aware the trespassers were intoxicated, if he would have done anything differently.
He said: "I would have triaged it as a concern for welfare and called for an emergency power off for preservation of life."