Teenager Dies on Train Tracks Near East Acton


Fatality occurred after police stopped van on Du Cane Road


East Acton tube station. Picture: Google Streetview

August 24, 2023

A teenager has died after being hit by a train on the tracks near East Acton London Underground station on Monday evening (21 August).

Just before the fatality at around 8.35pm, uniformed police officers in an unmarked car pulled over a van on Du Cane Road. Initially the van stopped but, when the officers got out of their car, it then made off again colliding with other cars further down the road. The occupants of the van fled and a man who was in one of the vehicles that were hit had to be taken to hospital as a precaution.

The police say they were not pursuing the van at the time of the crash and did not chase those that had fled on foot. During the incident, nobody was detained or arrested.

A short time later, the teenager, who police describe as being in his late teens, was spotted near the train tracks. A short time later he was struck by a train and was pronounced dead at the scene.

The victim has not been named but the police say they are providing every support available to his family.

Chief Superintendent Lou Puddefoot, in charge of policing in Central West BCU, said, "I am extremely sad to confirm the death of this teenager, and my thoughts and condolences are with his friends and family following this tragedy.

“We are in contact with his family, offering specialist support and updates on our work to determine what happened.

“This has caused devastation to the young man’s loved ones, and we also understand how concerning an incident like this is for local people.

"Since the initial incident, representatives from our Professional Standards Department have visited the scene and are continuing to gather evidence.

“The case was referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) and after a thorough assessment, the IOPC has confirmed that is now for the Met to review, and to find out whether anything could, or should, have been done differently."

As is normal in such circumstances, the Met's Directorate of Professional Standards has launched an investigation.

The Central Line was suspended during the incident and Du Cane Road was closed but both have since reopened.


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