Woman and child killed by train named as Donna Oettinger and son Zachary (From Croydon Guardian)

Woman and child killed by train named as Donna Oettinger and son Zachary

4:50pm Friday 22nd March 2013 in News By Hannah Williamson and Chris Baynes

A woman and child who died after being struck by a train have been named as Donna Oettinger and her son Zachary.

British Transport Police (BTP) were called to Riddlesdown rail station in Purley at around 8.29am.

The 41-year-old and her three-year-old son were pronounced dead at the scene.

Donna, who is believed the have lived just 300 yards away in Lower Barn Road with her parents, detailed her struggle with depression on Facebook in the months preceding her death.

In December she wrote: "I hope and pray there is light at the end of the tunnel.

"I am more then certain docs don't know what they are prescribing."

She decribed the birth of her son - nicknamed Zaki - as "the best day of my life", adding: "Thank god I have my son Zaki I owe him a lot when I get better love you son with all my heart."

Neighbours today expressed shock at the tragic death of "a sweet little boy"

One, who did not want to be named, said: "Poor Zaki. I've only just moved in but I have seen her a few times, she lived with her mother.

"Zaki such a sweet little boy. Always so happy. I saw her just yesterday, I'm a childminder and she saw me with two screaming children - she looked at me with pity.

"It's a real tragedy. To hear this I'm just in shock."

A BTP spokeswoman said: "BTP officers were called to the station after a report that a woman and a child had been struck by a train.

"The incident was reported to BTP at 8.29am and was also attended by Metropolitan Police officers.

"Medics from the London Ambulance Service also attended, but Donna and Zachary were sadly pronounced dead at the scene.

"The station was closed while officers and medics dealt with the incident."

Senior Investigating Officer Detective Chief Inspector Iain Miller said: "Our thoughts remain with Donna and Zachary family and friends at this sad and difficult time.

"Officers are continuing to work to establish the full circumstances of what happened, although early indications show that no one else was believed to have been involved.

"A file will be prepared for the Coroner."

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact British Transport Police on Freefone 0800 40 50 40, quoting incident reference 104 of 22/03/2013. 

Did you know Donna Oettinger? Leave your tributes below or email hmcw@london.newsquest.co.uk