Power was due to be cut off at Allerton rail depot where teen was electrocuted, court told

A RAILWAY siding where a teenage boy was electrocuted was due to have its power cut in the months before the accident, a court heard.

Liam Gill, 13, was killed instantly when he was hit by 25,000 volts from overhead cables as he climbed on a disused train at Allerton Depot in August 2009.

Although property owner English, Welsh and Scottish Railways has admitted health and safety breaches, a hearing at Liverpool crown court still has to decide to what extent it is responsible for the St Benedict’s College pupil’s death.

Yesterday Network Rail engineer Robert Thurgeson said plans to cut power to the largely disused depot were discussed from May 2009, but scrapped when it was thought there might be a buyer for the site.

He said he agreed with the decision as it would usually take 44 weeks to cut the power by which time the new owner would want it switched on again, which would take another 44 weeks.

source: liverpoolecho.co.uk