A Dunfermline teenager who died after being hit by a train while reportedly trying to save an injured animal will be “painfully missed”, his high school rector has said.
Joseph Willcocks, 17, died after being struck by the train on tracks in the town last Wednesday afternoon.
In a post on social media, a friend of Joseph’s family claims he went on to the tracks to help an injured animal when he was struck.
Police say the incident is not being treated as suspicious, however the procurator fiscal is looking into events leading up to his death.
Joseph attended Woodmill High School in Dunfermline – its rector, Sandy McIntosh, told The Courier: “Joseph Willcocks was a well-liked student who will be painfully missed by his friends and teachers alike.
“Our thoughts are very much with Joseph’s family and loved ones right now.
“Woodmill is very much like an extended family and, as we all try to come to terms with this, we will continue to work as a family to care for and support one another.”
Joseph ‘went on tracks to rescue injured animal’
Posting on Facebook, family friend Steven Manderson wrote: “It appears he has gone on to tracks to help/rescue an injured animal.
“The train has hit him with a ‘glancing’ blow as he tried to get off the tracks.
“Unfortunately the impact was just too severe.”
Addressing speculation surrounding Joseph’s death, aunt Julie Smart has issued a statement on behalf of his family via Facebook.
She wrote: “I need to confirm that on Wednesday we lost our dearest Joseph in a tragic accident.
The situation is deeply upsetting, and our whole world has been turned upside down
“We need to respectfully let everyone know that Joseph did not take his own life.
“We have seen the comments, and want to put the record straight and don’t want this perceived as anything other than what it actually was.
“The situation is deeply upsetting, and our whole world has been turned upside down.
“He was our special, amazing boy. To us, he was a son, a twin brother, a nephew, a grandson [and] a cousin.
“We need time, space and respect to deal with our loss.”
Death not being treated as suspicious
A police spokesperson said: “British Transport Police were called to the line near Dunfermline at 2.07pm on Wednesday following reports of a casualty on the tracks.
“Paramedics also attended, however sadly a 17-year-old boy was pronounced dead at the scene.
“This incident is not being treated as suspicious and a file will be prepared for the procurator fiscal.”
A spokesperson for the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service said: “The procurator fiscal has received a report in connection with the death of a 17-year-old male on November 3 in Dunfermline.
“The investigation into the death, under the direction of Scottish Fatalities Investigation Unit (SFIU), is ongoing and the family will continue to be kept updated in relation to any significant developments.”
