Leeds girl killed saving her dog UPDATED Tributes were today paid to a
schoolgirl who died after being hit by a train as she tried to coax her
pet dog off a railway track.
Natasha
Elliott, 16, was struck by the train on Sunday evening as she walked her
dog just 200 yards from her Morley home.
* CLICK HERE
TO EMAIL YOUR TRIBUTES TO NATASHA.Natasha was with her
boyfriend, not far from Morley train station, when her German Shepherd
dog pulled away from her on to the railway line.
As she tried to pull him back, she was struck from
behind by a train, travelling at around 60mph.
Natasha, a pupil at Morley High School, was taken
to Leeds General Infirmary following the accident at 6.40pm but died
from her injuries less than two hours later.
Friends of the family say her father, Wayne, was holding her hand when she died.
The dog, named Zeus, ultimately dodged the train and was not harmed.
Dave Lewis, the best friend of Natasha's father Wayne, said the whole family
was "devastated" by her death.
He told the YEP that Wayne had raised Natasha alone since she was around two years old and was his "world".
He said: "He was a doting father and he is just
devastated at what has happened. Everything he did and worked for was
for her, she was his world."
He said Natasha was "the kindest,
sweet kid you could ever meet."
Wayne had just bought Natasha a
dress for her end-of-school prom, he said. Now, Wayne planned to have his daughter wear it for her funeral.
Dave - who was yesterday comforting his friend - said Wayne was given the news by police who were called by other walkers on the path. He raced to the scene to see her
being treated by paramedics.
At first her injuries had not seemed life-threatening, but when she arrived at the LGI it was discovered she
had severe head injuries. She died at 8.20pm.
Dave said: "Wayne is just broken-hearted. He says he really wants to be able to hate the
dog, but he knows it was not his fault."
Pupils at Morley High School were said to have been devastated by the news and were spoken to
by police in a special assembly yesterday (mon).
Several friends have laid flowers at the scene of the accident and pals of the popular
schoolgirl have set up two website pages dedicated to her memory.
OnFacebook, the page RIP Natasha Elliott has attracted hundreds of
visitors.
Beth Dyer wrote: "RIP, always remembered, thoughts with
family and friends xx."
Rebecca Bedford added: "RIP, darlin u
will always be loved".
There are also several messages on the
GoneTooSoon website page which has also been visited by hundreds of
people.
Emma Bowen said: "RIP Natasha - you might be gone but you
won't be forgotten xxx."
Natasha's death is being investigated
by British Transport Police, although officers have confirmed they are
not treating it as suspicious.
A spokeswoman told the YEP:
"British Transport Police received reports of the accident at 18.44, and
attended the scene along with the local ambulance service. The girl was
taken to hospital where she sadly later died.
"Our thoughts are
with her family and friends at this difficult time.
"The incident is
not been treated as suspicious and a file will be now prepared for the
coroner."
A spokeswoman for Northern Rail passed the company's
sympathies to Natasha's family.
She said: "It is a tragic time.
Our condolences go to the family."
She said the train driver
would be offered the company's full support, including counselling.
http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/Leeds-girl-killed-saving-her.6299662.jp
Today at 11:15 am by 
Calendar
that is so sad
R.I.P Scouse xx Saffron xx and Roxanne xx I will Never Walk Alone..Still Miss you all. 
very sad
