Albina Yevko, a 14-year-old Ukrainian refugee residing in Devon, tragically lost her life after falling from a sea wall on Dawlish beach. The incident occurred on March 4 last year, following her evening walk to the shops, during which she went missing. Her mother, Inna Yevko, became alarmed when Albina did not return and could not be reached by phone. Despite efforts to locate her, Albina was found unconscious near the sea wall and airlifted to Exeter hospital, where she passed away the next day due to severe injuries sustained from the fall.
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- Albina likely fell from the sea wall while walking in the dark, with police suggesting she may have inadvertently lost her footing due to the absence of barriers, lighting, or markings indicating the edge.
- The sea wall, owned by Network Rail and used as a coastal path, stands significantly above the beach without protective railings, making falls potentially hazardous.
- Network Rail’s head of safety for the southwest, Robert Warren, confirmed that previous risk assessments recommended safety improvements such as hand railings and warning signs, but these were deemed impractical to implement effectively.
- Seven fatal incidents from falls off the same sea wall were reported between 1974 and 1996, prompting ongoing safety evaluations and considerations for enhanced safety measures like improved lighting and signage.
- Albina, who had moved to the UK in April 2022 and attended Dawlish College, enjoyed solitude but was described as caring and happy by her mother.
- A post-mortem examination concluded Albina’s death resulted from multiple injuries consistent with a fall from height.
