A TEENAGE girl has died after a high-speed train struck her on the East Coast main line near Darlington.

The 17-year-old, believed to be from Darlington was hit by the train, close to Geneva Road, just after 10.30pm last night.

She was later pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics.

British Transport Police, confirmed that although the teenager was alone the accident was reported by members of the public.

They confirmed that the driver of the northbound GNER train was unaware that he had hit anybody and his locomotive was stopped further up the line.

British Transport Police were today trying to establish exactly what had happened.

It is not known how she got on to the railway line, or what she was doing there.

It is understood her parents were informed of the tragedy last night.

Officers from British Transport Police were at the scene, although their investigations were at a very early stage.

A spokesman for British Transport Police last night confirmed there has been a fatality on the line at Darlington.

Several trains were delayed throughout the evening while the investigations continued on the railway line.

Although the details of last night's accident are not yet clear, the accident again highlights the dangers associated with railway lines.

The Northern Echo helped launched a No Messin' campaign in June last year to highlight the dangers of railway crime and to promote alternative activities for youngsters.

The campaign was launched following the deaths of two Darlington teenagers on tracks in the town in March. Further deaths in the region and throughout the country highlighted the concerns.

By the time of the campaign, Network Rail had already selected Darlington as one of four crime hotspots to be targeted by the No Messin' roadshow.

It later emerged that Darlington had been the worst place in the country for rail vandalism and one of the worst for trespassing.

Stockton, Middlesbrough, Marton, Hartlepool, Billingham, Eaglescliffe and Thornaby were also identified as trouble spots.

One of the highlights of the No Messin' campaign was a free two-day summer safety event in Darlington town centre.

More than 600 youngsters tried out sporting and summer activities at the roadshow, which included a climbing wall, skate park, wrestling, martial arts and DJ workshops.

Up to 60 children and adults a year are killed while trespassing on railways across the country.

Overhead lines carry 25,000 volts - easily enough to kill - and people can be electrocuted without making contact because electricity can jump through the air.

Police have also warned youngsters not to take part in a craze called "train surfing".

This involves children climbing on a train as it leaves a station and riding along the platform before jumping off.

Network Rail estimate that trespassing and vandalism costs the rail industry about £246m a year.