IT is impossible to imagine what John Hodgson and his family are going through. The heartache must be unbearable.

His daughter, Catherine, made a single terrible mistake, which on Thursday cost her young life - het up, she strayed on to a railway line, and was killed.

Our thoughts are with her family at this unendurable time. Our words, though, probably won't bring much solace. No words could - although it is reassuring to note that the local community in the Geneva Road area of Darlington is rallying round. "The phone's never stopped ringing," reports Mr Hodgson.

It is too early for repercussions and finger-pointing, but at least one message needs reiterating.

After the deaths of two teenagers in March last year, barely a mile from Thursday's accident on the same stretch of mainline in Darlington, The Northern Echo became involved in the No Messin' campaign, which tries to get across the dangers of railway lines. These are no places for anyone ever to be - as Catherine's death so sadly shows.

As the investigations unfold, it may be that questions are raised about the ease with which Catherine - like those teenagers last year - managed to get on to the line.

These questions may be asked of both the track authorities and of those people who, in many places along the mainline and branchlines in the North-East, bend fences so they can save a couple of minutes by nipping across the rails.

However, it is probably impossible to build fences and barricades around every place of danger that can withstand the determination of someone who is fuelled by emotion or even drink.

So the safest message is the simplest: Keep off the lines. Don't go near. Tell your children and grandchildren.

Three families in Darlington in the past 14 months have suffered this unimaginable horror of losing a dear teenage life.

Please, please no more.

No messing.