Boy's rail death motive 'unclear'

Jonathan's head teacher said his death had "devastated" the school

The parents of a 15-year-old boy who died when he was hit by a passenger train, say they do not know why he would have wanted to take his own life.

Witnesses reported seeing Jonathan Reynolds walk onto a track and lie down before a passenger train at Pencoed, near Bridgend, on Wednesday.

Mark and Caroline Reynolds said in a statement that words could not express their "shock and grief".

Officers have appealed to anyone with information to come forward.

In a statement released on Friday, Police said Jonathan had left the family home in Bridgend at about 1845 GMT on Wednesday.

The teenager was killed by the train at Pencoed railway station shortly before 2030 GMT.

Jonathan was a much-loved, fun-loving and very bright young man who had an exciting future life ahead of him Mark and Caroline Reynolds

The statement read: "Police are anxious to speak to anyone who may have sighted or been with Jonathan prior to the incident.

"Anyone who may have spoken with him between those times are urged to make contact with the police at Bridgend."

Also included in the statement, were words from Jonathan's parents.

"For reasons not yet entirely clear, our beautiful son Jonathan decided to take his own life on 25 January 2006," they said.

"Words cannot express our shock and grief. Jonathan was a much-loved, fun-loving and very bright young man who had an exciting future life ahead of him.

"Please allow us space and time to grieve for our beloved son, Samantha's brother, our Jonathan."

Alwyn Thomas, the head teacher of Jonathan's school, Bryntirion Comprehensive, described Thursday one of the "most difficult days in the school's history" and said he had no idea what was behind the tragedy.

Flowers have been left at Pencoed railway station

"You can imagine the devastated position of the pupils in the school," he said.

"We are all very distressed and very upset about what has occurred.

"The pupils have been very distressed but have coped remarkably well with what has been a difficult situation."

Mr Thomas said from all indications, Jonathan, a year 11 pupil, was happy at school.

He added: "We have no idea why it occurred and we are eager to find out.

"From Jonathan being a happy pupil in school, there must be something underlying.

'Lay down'

"Jonathan was a very, very likeable pupil. He was a very popular pupil."

A 999 call was received by ambulance workers at about 2030 GMT in Church Village.

Ambulance duty officer Steve Cooper said initially they were told a boy had jumped in front of a train at Pencoed station.

But he added witnesses later reported that the boy walked on to the track and lay down.

A post mortem examination was carried out on Thursday, ahead of the start of the inquest into the teenager's death.

Police have asked anyone with information to contact Bridgend police on 01656 655555, or to contact their local police station.