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Ainsdale train collision victim 'trying to rescue dog'

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The accident happened on a stretch of railway near Ainsdale

A 22-year-old woman may have been trying to rescue a dog when she stepped on to a railway line and was killed by a train.

The accident happened close to Ainsdale station, near Southport, Merseyside, at about 15:00 on Wednesday.

The victim, of Glastonbury, Somerset, died at the scene and it is understood a dog was also killed in the collision.

British Transport Police said the incident is not being treated as suspicious.

The BBC understands officers are examining the theory that the woman was trying to rescue her pet dog, which had strayed on to the tracks.

A police spokesman said: "Our offices attended, alongside colleagues from Merseyside Police and North West Ambulance Service, and discovered a 22-year-old woman from Glastonbury had been struck and killed by a train. Her family has been informed.

"Officers are working to determine exactly how she came to be on the tracks. A report will be prepared for the coroner."

Ainsdale train death: Yasmin Jones' family pay tribute

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Yasmin Jones had studied drama at Liverpool John Moores University

The family of a university graduate who was killed while trying to rescue a dog from a railway have paid tribute to their "beautiful and talented" daughter.

Yasmin Jones, 22, was struck by a train on a level crossing close to Ainsdale station, near Southport, Merseyside, on Wednesday. She had been trying to free a dog which had wriggled under a metal fence.

In a statement, her family said "no words could describe" their pain. "Our family is totally devastated by the loss of Yasmin, our beautiful and talented daughter, sister and granddaughter," the statement said. "We are comforted by the knowledge that her energy and lust for life touched the hearts of so many."

Miss Jones, of Glastonbury, Somerset, had settled in Liverpool after studying drama at the the city's John Moores university. Her family said she had taken a job at The Caledonia pub while she decided what to do next.

Miss Jones had been taking two dogs to the Red Squirrel Nature Reserve before the accident happened. She was pronounced dead at the scene and a dog was also killed in the collision.

The Caledonia posted a statement on its Facebook page saying the pub intended to close until Monday. "We hope you can appreciate it's going to be a very difficult time for all of us," the post said. "She was a pleasure to have known and we will miss her beauty more than words can say."

A spokesman for Network Rail said the level crossing had been identified for closure, and will be replaced by a footbridge. Talks were ongoing with council officials.

An inquest has been scheduled to open on Monday.