The father of a teenage boy who died after stepping in front of a high-speed train with his girlfriend in an apparent suicide pact has spoken of his grief.
Mert Karaoglan, 18, and his close friend Charleigh Disbrey, 15, were found dead 200 yards from a busy commuter station in Hertfordshire.
The A-level student’s father, Sakru, 48, said his son had told him he was ‘going out for one or two hours’ on Monday evening but he never returned.
Mert and talented musician Charleigh – known as CJ – were under the arches of a brick footbridge in Borehamwood when they were hit by a locomotive travelling at more than 90mph.
Investigators later found two notes on the body of Mert and a single note on Charleigh, a talented musician who said she ‘would give anything to be famous’.
Sakru told The Sun: ‘We told him not to be out late. We were waiting and waiting. Then the police came round to see us at nine this morning. I can’t stop crying.’
He added: ‘He was a happy person – everything seemed okay.’
Mert’s parents Hatice, 52, and Sakru are believed to originate from Turkey,
The deaths of Mert and Charleigh are not being treated as suspicious. The pair attended Hertswood Academy, where Mert was in Year 13 and Charleigh in Year 10.
Charleigh’ had auditioned for the television shows Britain’s Got Talent and Must Be The Music.
The GCSE pupil had posted videos of herself on YouTube playing an acoustic guitar and had written on her website that she wanted to become a musician ‘to be remembered’.
Just days before her death she had uploaded a haunting rendition of herself singing the David Guetta hit song Titanium.
Friends said the pair, who attended Hertswood Academy in Borehamwood, were in a relationship.
They were struck at about 9pm on Monday by a London First Capital Connect service just outside Elstree and Borehamwood station. No passengers were on board.
A Network Rail source said: ‘They stepped out together on to the track. Three notes were found on their bodies.’
Their school’s headteacher, Peter Gillett, said yesterday: ‘As a close community, obviously we are devastated by this tragedy. Both students were talented, hard-working and well-respected members of our academy.
‘Our thoughts are with their families at this most difficult time. We are supporting our students and staff in coping with this terrible loss.’
Floral tributes to the teenagers and cards were left outside the school’s gates.
One card read: ‘To Mert, thinking of you always, bless your soul and may you rest in peace friend.’ Another read: ‘Sleep tight angel. RIP CJ and Mert, never forgotten.’
Friends of the pair took to social media to express their shock and grief.
One girl said: ‘R.I.P Cj and Mert such wonderful and talented people, you will be truly missed xxxxx.’
Another wrote: ‘Situations like this just do not make sense, RIP Mert and CJ.’
BTP is continuing its investigations into the incident.
Superintendent Phil Wilkinson said yesterday: ‘Although my officers are continuing their investigations as part of our work to prepare a file for the local coroner, there are not thought to be any suspicious circumstances and no one else is believed to have been involved.
‘Colleagues from Hertfordshire Constabulary are also in a local secondary school to provide comfort and support to students and staff at this very difficult time.’
Daiymail
