Documents seen by the Guardian reveal that local authorities committed to painting a white line and installing warning signs - none of which remain today - after Brendon Burnage, 17, fell to his death from the Dawlish seawall in 1992.
The deputy coroner for the region at the time, Robert Newman, wrote to British Rail, then the owner of the rail route the wall protects, and Teignbridge district council to urge them to consider railings as a safety precaution after the conclusion of Burnage's inquest. The seawall is now owned by Network Rail.
In March last year Albina Yevko, 14, fell from the wall and was pronounced dead shortly after. An inquest into her death is yet to resume, but her mother and host family understand that the police have concluded her death was an accident.
Her death prompted Daniel Pooley, a friend of Burnage who leapt into the sea to try to save his friend in 1992, to uncover documents from local archives that show what authorities did and did not do in the aftermath of the tragedy.
Calls for safety railings were backed up by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents in a report commissioned by Teignbridge district council.
This story is from the February 01, 2024 edition of The Guardian.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the February 01, 2024 edition of The Guardian.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Parry: Premier League would be 'sterile' without EFL
Rick Parry has accused the Premier League of undervaluing the football pyramid, arguing that without the \"variety and competition\" that come from relegation and promotion the game would become \"sterile\".
Official review: Coote faces FA investigation as Webb breaks silence on video
The Football Association has launched its own investigation into the behaviour of the referee David Coote after remarks he made about Jürgen Klopp in a video that surfaced online this week.
Match-by-match: Coote's Liverpool games as an official
Referee who has been caught on video in a foul-mouthed tirade against Jürgen Klopp officiated 21 Liverpool games. Andy Hunter takes a look at the decisions in each one
Wretched, haunted but human: a referee shaped by modern football
Is it really a surprise that an official or someone similar should end up glassy-eyed and spitting toxins on a sofa?
Hall's audition adds intrigue to England's Nations League finale
In-form Newcastle defender can show Thomas Tuchel he can be the solution to perennial problem on the left
'It's about robust planning, proper financial control'
is about \"preventing the shocks\" that have disrupted the sport in recent years.
'People are going to see women's boxing at its very best'
The super-lightweight world champion Katie Taylor says her rematch against Amanda Serrano in Texas, as the main support act to Tyson v Paul, will be something special
Blindkilde Brown and Fujino help City avoid slip up
Manchester City maintained their 100% start in the Women's Champions League group stage as second-half goals from youngsters Laura Blindkilde Brown and Aoba Fujino were enough to beat a determined Hammarby side.
Players must cope with extra scrutiny, says Lewis
The England coach, Jon Lewis, said his players experienced a \"sharp learning curve\" about perception management in the fallout from their disastrous group-stage exit in last month's T20 World Cup.
No input from Jones in England's plan to upset Springboks
England will not be benefiting from the insider knowledge of their former Springbok assistant coach Felix Jones this weekend after it emerged that neither their players nor key staff members have been in contact with the Irishman, still supposedly employed remotely by the Rugby Football Union (RFU).
