Bullied 14-year-old passed his belongings to classmates before jumping in front of oncoming train: 'It's horrible'
Several witnesses, mostly school students, saw a 14-year-old boy end his life after lying down on the tracks in front of an oncoming train.
Before jumping off the platform at the end of a school day, the youngster passed on his belongings to his friends, Daily Mail reports.
According to those who know the pupil, Sam Connor was allegedly being bullied at his Roman Catholic comprehensive. Responding officers escorted students from the platform at Chertsey, Surrey so that specialists and paramedics could work the tragic scene on Monday.
Now, a piece of paper found at the station is said to have been a suicide note scribbled by the youngster, who attended Salesian Secondary School in the quiet town.
"It's horrible. I have friends who were there and saw the whole thing," one boy who has friends at the school said. "Sam handed his bag and phone to his friends and then lay down on the track in front of the train. Some of the older pupils were really good – they held everyone back and made sure everyone else was safe. They said he was being bullied. It's only four days until school breaks up and you'd have thought he'd be able to get help.
"I've met him in passing and he seemed happy," he added. "But I guess you never know what's going on with someone. It's just a shock."
Classmates, residents, and parents paid tribute to the child by laying flowers at the station.
"There are issues with bullying. My son used to see Sam on his own in the playground," she said. "He never saw him being physically attacked but he knew he was being bullied. It's just horrific."
James Kibble, the school's executive headteacher, penned down a heartfelt letter to parents following the grim incident.
"This is an incredibly difficult situation but knowing the faith, compassion, and strength of our school community, I am confident that we will work together to support one another," he said, adding that counselors and an educational psychologist would provide support to children who witnessed the tragedy.
As pupils left school to catch the train home, samaritans and volunteers were seen offering support to the traumatized children.
That said, a school spokesperson claimed they had "no record" indicating the boy was being bullied.
"Officers were called to Chertsey station at 4 pm yesterday (July 15) following reports of a casualty on the tracks," the British Transport Police said in a statement. "Paramedics also attended but sadly a 14-year-old boy was pronounced dead at the scene. His family have been informed and are being supported by specially trained officers. The incident is not being treated as suspicious and a file will be prepared for the coroner."
Strangely enough, paramedics were called to the next station in line last night following the Chertsey incident, after another person had thrown themselves in front of a train.
That victim, who plunged onto the tracks at Woking rail station in Surrey, could not be resuscitated and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities are yet to release details of the person. It is unclear if there was any connection between the two mysterious deaths.