Boy, 14, Remembered by Family After He Was Hit by a Train

Joshua Travis.Credit : btp.police.uk

 

A 14-year-old boy, whose family said he had “so much love to give,” has died after being struck by a train.

Officers responded to a report of a “casualty on the tracks” in Nottinghamshire, a county in central England, on Wednesday, Nov. 26, just after 7 p.m. local time, according to a media release from the British Transport Authority (BTA).

Paramedics were called, but the boy, who has been identified as Joshua Travis, was pronounced dead at the scene, per the statement. The BTA further said that the incident is not being treated as suspicious at this time.

Boy, 14, Remembered by Family After He Was Hit by a Train

Joshua Travis.btp.police.uk

PEOPLE reached out to the BTA for comment on Saturday, Nov. 29, but did not receive an immediate response.

Joshua’s family provided a statement on his death via the BTA release, saying, “Josh was a lad with an incredible energy for life, an infectious and mischievous smile, kind sparkling eyes, and so much love to give.”

They added, “He leaves a gap in our lives that is and will always be impossible to fill, and we will miss him forever.”

Joshua was a former member of the Nottingham Forest Academy football team. The team shared a tribute to him in a Facebook post on Nov. 28.

“Everyone at Nottingham Forest is deeply saddened to learn of the tragic passing of our former academy goalkeeper Josh Travis. Our thoughts are with Josh’s family and friends at this extremely difficult time,” the club wrote in their statement.

Local football club Burton Joyce FC shared a tribute to Joshua on Facebook on Nov. 29, writing that they are “absolutely devastated” by the news of the teen’s death.

“The whole BJFC family is absolutely devastated by the tragic loss of Josh. The Travis family have been a huge part of our club for so many years, and our hearts are with them during this unimaginable time,” they wrote.

The club went on to say that they will be holding a moment of silence at all weekend games this week to pay their “deepest respects” to the teen.

“Rest peacefully, Josh — you’ll always be part of our BJFC family,” the club added.

Joshua’s friends and peers gathered at the scene of the incident on Friday, Nov. 28, to lay flowers and pay their respects, per the BBC.

Network Rail, the public body that owns, manages and maintains most of the railway infrastructure in Great Britain, requested — and was granted — an emergency closure of the crossing at which the incident took place.

“Our immediate thoughts are with the family and friends that have been affected by this tragic incident,” Mark Budden, Network Rail’s route director of East Midlands, said in a statement. “Safety is our top priority and we are fully supporting the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) as part of their ongoing inquiries.”

The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) told the BBC that a decision on next steps in relation to the tragic incident will take place once evidence on the matter has been gathered and reviewed.