AN EIGHT-year-old boy has died after being electrocuted on a rail-way line.

Stephen Nesbitt, from Hornby Road, Bootle, was found on a line near Oriel Station, Bootle.

It is believed he stood on a live rail after playing around the station with friends.

His parents, Elaine and Stephen, were told of the accident by a neighbour and rushed to the track as paramedics tried to save their son.

He was taken to Aintree Hospital but died of his injuries after the accident at around 8.30pm on Saturday.

Blond Stephen was described by neighbours as a keen footballer and a lovely lad.

He was the youngest of six children and friends say he was doted on by his family. Neighbours were in shock last night about the news of Stephen's death.

Debbie Austen, who lives a few doors away from the station, said: "Elaine was hysterical - I can't imagine how she must be feeling this morning.

"My heart goes out to the family - how do you get over something like this?

Gary Jones, who manages the local shop, Brookfields, said: "We are all devastated. Everybody knew Stephen and our thoughts go out to his family."

A next door neighbour said: "Stephen was my son's best friend and we are just in shock."

Stephen's dad was at the family home last night but was too upset to speak about the tragedy.

The family only moved to Hornby Road around eight months ago. They used to live near Oriel road station on St Edmonds Road where Stephen still had many friends. It is believed Steven was a pupil at Grange Primary School in Bootle.

He was an adventurous young boy who last June, then aged seven, hit the headlines when he managed to get on a train with two friends at Bootle New Strand station without any money.

The trio made their way to Southport Pleasureland where, after a police appeal, they were spotted by a security guard and taken home.

Former neighbour Mary Corley said: "Although the family moved away from here, you always saw Stephen playing in the street.

"We have a big problem with kids playing near the railway lines.

"It isn't safe but I don't know how you would stop them."

Another neighbour said: "We need the station to be manned. It is far too dangerous.

"It's too easy for kids to get on the tracks and they don't realise the danger.

"We need more security." British Transport Police say they will be speaking to Steven's friends and looking at CCTV footage but are not treating the incident as suspicious.

Police are today reminding those near railway lines to be aware of the dangers.