Rail firms in court over boy's death

Bobby was playing near Strood Station when he stepped on the line

Two rail companies have appeared in court over the death of a four-year-old boy electrocuted on a railway track.

Bobby Wood died instantly in June 1999 after he stepped on to the line as he was playing near his house close to Strood railway station, in Kent.

Network Rail Infrastructure - formerly Railtrack - and Balfour Beatty Rail Infrastructure Services are accused of breaching the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.

Network Rail also faces a charge of breaching other legislation relating to railway safety.

It is alleged that both companies failed properly to prevent public access to a live railway line.

Lawyers representing both firms appeared at a short hearing at Medway Magistrates Court.

The case has been adjourned until 12 June.