RAIL regulators are in safety talks with Network Rail after a Teignmouth mum-of-three was killed trying to retrieve a dog from a stretch of railway near Sprey Point. District inspector with the Office of Rail Regulation, Tony Giblett, has made a site visit to the spot where 42-year-old Debra Rathbone died three weeks ago. She was walking the dog with her sister Brenda and a family friend along the sea wall when the dog leapt on to the railway line. Mrs Rathbone and her sister had scrambled on to the track to retrieve the dog. Both women huddled close to the sea wall when they heard the train approaching. But it is thought that the vortex of the train pulled Mrs Rathbone under its path. The Office of Rail Regulation, which last year took over responsibility for rail safety from the Health and Eafety Executive, is now in contact with Network Rail about the standard of line side protection along the sea wall. The regulating body has powers of enforcement. Mr Giblett also met with Mrs Rathbone's husband Giles. Mr Rathbone has started a campaign to highlight safety issues along the scenic walkway. A petition has been posted around the town. Many people have come forward to tell of their similar experiences. Teignmouth man Roger Curtis said that there should be improved signage to ensure people keep their dogs on leads. 'I had a similar incident some years ago with my collie that was off the lead. 'For some reason, he jumped on to the track and my first thought was to get his back over the wall. 'There was just a two minute difference from me retrieving the dog and a train approaching. I was exceptionally lucky,' he said. Susan Rouhan, from Dawlish, said that she has not 'walked that way since her dog jumped the boundary wall. 'It gave us a terrible fright,' she said. Network Rail has confirmed that it is looking into safety of the line along this stretch and re-enforced its statement that walkers should not trespass on to the line. 'We must stress that members of the public should not trespass onto the railway at any time. If they need assistance, they should immediately contact the local police,' said a spokesman.
