Campaigns Launched to Prevent Deaths at Crossing

Anne Nacci, the second victim.b

By Rianan Hogg
A CAMPAIGN has been launched which it is hoped will prevent deaths at a notorious Whitstable level crossing where three people died in just two months.

Campaigners want clear signs for the Samaritans phone line and assistance for anyone who may be considering taking their own life following what appear to be three suicides at the Glebe Way railway crossingBetween December 27, 2010 and February 21, 2011, emergency services had to deal with the aftermath of three deaths on the line.

The first victim to die on the crossing was Jan Graham.  The 54-year-old ice cream shop owner was found on the tracks after being struck by a train during the night of December 27.  

The police investigated the incident and concluded there was nothing suspicious about her death.

Only three weeks later, the second death occurred, the victim named Anne Nacci, also a 54-year-old.  She had worked as an administrative assistant for the Whitstable Times, until she took redundancy to take up her passion for poetry.

  

Her body was discovered at 6am on January 18.  The investigation into the incident resulted in the death not being treated as suspicious.  She leaves behind a husband, two daughters, a son, as well as grandchildren.  Her son has stated: “Anne will be greatly missed by all those close to her."

Anthony Sait, the third victim.

Whitstable was once again shocked when it was announced that yet another person had been killed a few yards down from the crossing.

  

On February 21, Anthony Sait, a father of two, died after being hit by another train.  

On this instance the collision happened during broad daylight, with a 500 yard view of the tracks either way, this meant questions were asked how the incident could be an accident when the train could have been seen and avoided.

  

An investigation was launched into the 40-year-old death, with his family claiming he was a happy, positive person and they believe there is no way he would have committed suicide.

  

The inquest has been adjourned while the investigation continues. Police say they are not seeking anyone else in connection with the death. 

This fact has caused two separate campaigns to be launched to stop this happening again.  The family of Anthony Sait are attempting to install Samaritan hotline telephones by the tracks.  They believe that if people attempt suicide in the same area, they will be convinced to call the Samaritans who can maybe help them through whatever situation they feel they are in. 

Canterbury Samaritans director, Mary Greenwood, has said that they had not yet been contacted about the idea but they would be happy to help, although she believes there may be some technical issues with the plan. 

The other campaign that residents of Whitstable are trying to introduce is the closing of the actual crossing.  They believe that the crossing is causing more harm than good in the area.  There is also a bridge that crosses the tracks about 100 yard up, meaning that the closure will not cause too much of an issue.