Dawlish sea wall: Call for handrails after girl's death

Inna Yevko said she felt like "part of me is broken" since her daughter's death

A Ukrainian mother who fled the war to come to the UK is calling on Network Rail to improve safety measures following the death of her daughter.

Inna Yevko's daughter Albina, 14, fell to her death from the sea wall running alongside the railway line in Dawlish, Devon, in March 2023.

Ms Yevko, who fled her war-torn country in May 2022, wants handrails installed to prevent any future deaths.

Network Rail said it was carrying out a risk assessment in the area.

The company said it would be difficult to maintain handrails in "the harsh coastal environment".

On 4 March 2023, Albina went for a walk to the shops at dusk and when she did not return her mother tried calling her numerous times, but she did not answer.

LISTEN: Inna Yevko speaks to BBC Radio Devon about her daughter's death

She was found on the beach and died at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital the next day.

Her mother and a friend, Rosie Dawson, who initially hosted the family in Dawlish, have launched a petition calling for improvements to safety measures including handrails.

There had been a similar incident in 1992, which took the life of 17-year-old Brendan Burnage.

A new risk assessment is being carried out after a new sea wall was built

"We've begged Network Rail, please put up railings," said Ms Dawson.

"We've talked about lines. There used to be a line years ago which was left to crumble and disappear. There have never been lights.

"But even with lines and lights; and that is the very least; lines and lights wouldn't have saved Albina now," she said.

Inna wants to make sure no other parent has to go through this. "It's so, so hard," she said. "I was a single mum and we were together. She was half of my life. Part of me is broken."

'Harsh coastal environment'

In a statement Network Rail said: "We were saddened to hear of the passing of Albina Yevko and we've met with the family to express our condolences and discuss their concerns relating to the sea wall.

"Following the collapse of the sea wall in 2014, we conducted a risk assessment of the wall.

"Now that we have completed the new sea wall at Dawlish, a new risk assessment is under way to understand if there have been any changes which would affect the level of risk in this area.

"Handrails along all sections of the sea wall would be difficult to install and maintain effectively given the harsh coastal environment."

It added: "All options will be considered as part of the new risk assessment."

Devon County Council has responsibility for the right of way of the path.

A council spokesman said "In March 1994 Devon County Council agreed funding towards additional signs and the trial use of a white line as a visual aid along the sea wall at the higher sections between Dawlish and Dawlish Warren.

"Coastal conditions soon eroded the white line and the trial was not subsequently adopted into maintenance regimes."

Ms Yevko is still waiting for Albina's inquest to conclude. For now she is hoping their campaign might help prevent an incident like this happening again.

Additional reporting by Jenny Kumah, South West England correspondent