Carla Nunez described the demand, sent by Belgium’s national rail operator, SNCB, less than a year after her daugthter Charlotte’s death, as a “hammer blow”
The grief-stricken mother of a teenager who was killed by a train while taking selfies has been slapped with a £14,000 BILL – for damage done to the tracks.
Carla Nunez described the demand sent by from Belgium’s national rail operator, SNCB, less than a year after her daughter Charlotte’s death as a “hammer blow”.
The 12-year-old was hit by a train in November 2014 while taking a picture of herself on a platform with a friend.
Speaking to Flemish news website, Het Laaste Nieuws , Mrs Nunez said: “The letter says that my daughter is a minor and that I am responsible for damage caused by the accident.”
Mrs Nunez told the site that while she would not personally have to pay as the bill was in the hands of her insurers, she was appalled by the claim, which was like a “hammer blow”.
“When you receive a letter like that, it knocks you down,” she said.
“These people cannot have children to be capable of doing something so monstrous.”
“I have a good mind to go and ring on the doorbell of Jo Cornu (chief executive of SNCB) to ask him what in the hell possessed his company to do such a thing.”
The damages claim has since led to angry political reaction in Belgium.
David Geerts, Socialist MP, said: “How can one ignore the emotional impact of such a letter, sent to people who have lost a loved one?
“Instead of sending a bill for damages, even if they don’t have to pay themselves, it would have been better to show some empathy.”
