The heartbroken mum of a popular teenager who took his own life by jumping in front of a train is passionately campaigning for better safety measures at railway stations.

Oscar Phillips, from Great Sutton, was just 16 when he was fatally struck by a Liverpool-bound through train at Capenhurst Station two years ago.

That fateful January day, the sixth-former – who had no history of depression – attended Whitby High School as usual and nobody had any inkling of the tragedy that was to come.

Oscar’s close-knit family were left devastated by their sudden loss, but soon rallied to set up a charity in his memory to provide emotional support to youngsters in the Ellesmere Port area.

Oscar Phillips
Oscar Phillips

Now they are fighting for improvements to rail safety in the hope they can spare other families from losing a loved one in such awful circumstances.

Their petition to ‘prevent further suicides and accidents by rail’ has received more than 700 signatures so far.

Carmel Giansante, Oscar’s mum, said: “We are campaigning for more public safety especially at the unmanned train stations where 80mph trains fly through.

“Health and safety is through the roof at most places of work, yet in a public place you could stand close to the edge of a platform as a high speed train passes and there would be nothing to stop you falling.

“Train drivers and members of the public who witness these horrible deaths may suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder and loss of earnings, rail lines have to be closed with the inconvenience that causes, and the cost of the emergency services – all the aftermath effects mean it makes sense to put up barriers.

“And the biggest loss is for the families who forever have their loved one missing from future events and have to learn to cope without them being there on a daily basis.”

Oscar’s loved ones want to see platform screen doors – which only open when the doors of a stopped train open – like those at some London Tube stations erected at stations like Capenhurst, which have express trains pass through.

“The trains could run through at high speed safely, with doors that only open with the doors of a stopped train,” explained Carmel.

“I’m aware people could look for alternative ways to take their lives but we have a duty to protect and we need to abolish these options; making it difficult could also change someone’s mind.

“The cost of building these is a fraction compared to the cost we have paid as the family and friends of Oscar.”

The Oscar Phillips Foundation – which aims to educate about emotional wellbeing – continues its vital and valuable work.

The charity is currently offering a one-day counselling training course to anyone aged between 16 and 20 who wants to equip themselves with tools to help others.

To sign up, email theoscarphillipsfoundation@hotmail.com.

If you would like to sign the petition, click here.