Rosie Whitaker

A 15-year-old girl who died after being hit by a train at Beckenham Junction station has been named as Rosie Whitaker.

British Transport Police (BTP) and Met officers were called to the scene just after 9.30pm on Monday (June 11) after Miss Whitaker, of Beckenham, was hit by the train but she was pronounced dead at the scene.

Her family described her as a happy girl who had been overcome with stress, partly due to exam pressures.

A statement from them said: “For most of her life she was very happy and planned to follow a career where she would help others. She was a well-balanced and well-loved young lady who had everything to live for.

“However, during a period of stress brought on by the pressures of conforming with her peer group and studying for GCSE exams, it appears she was, unfortunately, heavily influenced by online communities promoting self-harm and suicide.

“Rosie will be fondly remembered by family and friends and we ask that we can be left to grieve over this terrible tragedy in private.”

Her family said she enjoyed diving, writing poetry and dancing and performing at the Royal Opera House.

BTP are not treating the death as suspicious and are preparing a file for the coroner.

The train involved was the 9.22pm from London Victoria to Ramsgate.