FRIENDS of a 12-year-old girl electrocuted as she crossed a railway track at Broadstairs railway station have warned other youngsters not to take similar risks.

The victim, named Keyliegh, had been waiting with her friends for a train to Margate when the tragedy happened.

One of the friends, 15-year-old Becky, said: “We do not want her death to have been in vain. It was a horrible accident and we were powerless to do anything to help her. All we can ask is that other people learn from her death and never try and cross railway lines.”

Becky, who was with a 15-year-old called Christine and another girlfriend, said that “people often cross between platforms on the railway track".

She added: “You see them do it and although you know of the danger, you never think it will happen to you. People avoid the two large rails in the centre of the track that are live as they cross.

“It is only when someone dies that you realise how easy it would be to have used a footbridge. She slipped as she was going across and stumbled. She put a hand out to steady herself as she was crawling and touched the live rail and then fell forward.”

She stressed: “She was a brilliant friend, always smiling and happy, and really enjoyed life. She always tried to make you feel better if you were fed up.”

Becky is also asking for better security measures on platforms to prevent people from being tempted to cross via the track.

Floral tributes and cards have been left on the platform at Broadstairs. Messages include “Loved and will be missed by all”; another states “You are the best friend anyone could ask for” and another says “Always in our minds, bodies and souls.”

The coroner has been informed and an inquest will be held.