Pensioner killed by speeding train after getting foot stuck in crossing despite best friend's bid to free her

Theresa Mansell's heel was lodged in the gap between the electric rail and the planks of the footway.

With a 60mph train approaching, her close friend, Heather George, frantically tried to pull her clear.

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At the same time, the driver of the train slammed on the brakes.

He was unable to stop quickly enough and Miss Mansell, a 66-year-old mother of two, died instantly.

The tragedy comes a month after a 29-year-old woman died on a level crossing in Colchester.

And on Tuesday, a couple were killed on the line at Harlow Mill, also in Essex.

The latest incident came on a foot crossing on the London to Windsor line 100 yards from Miss Mansell's home in Staines, Surrey.

It is thought that the friends, who were walking dogs, saw a train in the distance but felt they had plenty of time to make it across safely.

Miss Mansell - known as Terri - was hit by the 7.28am service from Waterloo to Windsor.

Her brother, John Griffiths, 64, from Ascot in Berkshire, said: "She was walking across the tracks as she has done for 30 years, pretty much every day with her friend.

"She was on a crossing that she must have crossed thousands of times. Her heel got stuck and she could not get free in time as the train approached.

"Heather is in a terrible state as she saw everything unfold in front of her.

"She was trying to get her out and is now completely traumatised. They have been very good friends for many years."

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Mrs George, 50, from Staines was being comforted by friends last night.

Miss Mansell, a divorcee who lived alone, had retired as a lecturer of art at Brooklands College near her home.

Her brother said she lived for art and exhibited her paintings.

Neighbours described Miss Mansell as "kind and compassionate".

British Transport Police investigators spent two hours at the scene yesterday.

It is understood that officers were measuring gaps between the wooden planks and the rails.

In 2005, residents launched a campaign to make the crossing safer.

They asked Network Rail to cover the wood with rubber matting to stop it becoming slippery in cold weather.