NETWORK Rail is investigating an incident on the sea wall at Dawlish in which a woman on a mobility scooter fell to her death.

Members of Teignbridge Council said the incident near Lady’s Mile had had an impact on many residents.

‘Our thoughts are with all of them,’ said overview and scrutiny chairman Cllr Suzanne Sanders.

‘We really have to address this problem.’

The company has been carrying out a risk assessment on the exposed stretch of wall between Dawlish and Dawlish Warren since it completed work on the second phase of the new sea defences last year,

Campaigners want measures to make the wall safer, including a handrail, lighting and better signage. A guideline painted on the walkway has eroded.

Councillors were told a handrail would be expensive, difficult to install and vulnerable to damage from the sea. 

Network Rail says it has engaged with local councils for their views on the risks of using the sea and it will go back to councils with the outcome of the risk assessment. 

There are no plans for a public consultation.

Network Rail also stresses the assessment was not instigated as a result of the previous death on the sea wall when Ukrainian teenager Albina Yevko fell to her death in March 2023. 

Seventeen-year-old Brendon Burnage died after falling off the wall into the water in 1992.

Completing the latest phase of the new sea defences was the trigger for the assessment, the company says.

A spokesman said: ‘We commissioned it following the completion of phase two of the new sea wall to assess whether the risk had changed and, if so, what might need to be done to mitigate it.

‘We are very sorry to learn of the tragic incident that occurred in Dawlish.

‘Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the person involved.

‘We are making inquiries to ascertain fully the circumstances surrounding the incident.

'We are considering if action can be taken to reduce the risk of death occurring.  

‘We will be taking into account the particular circumstances of the incident in our risk assessment of the entire sea wall, old and new.’