EXCLUSIVE: Students at school attended by Brianna Ghey's killers offered counselling after fellow pupil killed on train track

Students at the school attended by the twisted killers of Briana Ghey are being offered mental health support after a fellow pupil was killed after being struck by a train just 20 months on from her horrific murder.

Culcheth High School pupil Thomas Reynolds, 13, (main image) died after falling onto the track and being struck by a train on the Northern Rail line in the Newton-le-Willow area, near St Helens, Merseyside.

The school was still reeling from the murder of Brianna in February 2023 as both of her killers, who were jailed for life earlier this year, had attended there.

Pupils at the school have been offered counselling services from charity YoungMinds and support with bereavement after Thomas's harrowing death on Sunday.

An inquest is due to be opened in the new year. His death is not being treated as suspicious.

Paying tribute to her son, his mum, who has not been named, said in a statement: "Thomas was an incredibly loving and caring son, big brother, grandson, nephew, cousin and friend to so many. He was loved so much by us all. Thomas had such a bright future ahead of him and it is tragic that his life has been cut so short.

"He was such a bright, beautiful, funny boy who will leave a lasting legacy on everyone who knew him. He would help anyone in a heartbeat and it’s been incredibly humbling to hear so many stories about the impact he had on people’s lives.

"We are truly devastated and heartbroken as a family with the loss of our beautiful boy. Our lives will truly never be the same again.

"We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has come forward and offered their kind words of support. We have been comforted by messages from family and friends."

His grandad, Steve Reynolds, said in an emotionmal tribute on facebook: "It is with great sadness that we announce the death of our beloved 13 year old grandson Thomas Ahron Reynolds.

"Thomas meant the world to us and we will all miss him forever. Everyone who knew Thomas knows that he had a big heart and was an incredibly loving and caring son, big brother, grandson, nephew, cousin and friend to so many. He was loved so much by us all."

A service celebrating Thomas’s life will be held on Thursday January 2 in Warrington.

A tribute page dedicated to Thomas on Muchloved.com has raised more than £27,200 for YoungMinds.

A British Transport Police (BTP) spokesperson said: "At around 4.40pm on Sunday, officers from British Transport Police were called to the lines at Culcheth near to Newton-le-Willows to reports of a casualty. Officers attended alongside paramedics. A person was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.

"The victim was a teenage boy. Enquiries into the circumstances leading up to their death are ongoing.”

Several trains had to be cancelled in the area after officers from British Transport Police (BTP) and paramedics attended the scene.

A parent, of children who used to attend Culcheth High School, said: "Thomas was 13-years-old, in year nine and a popular lad."

In a letter to parents sent on Monday, seen by Essex News and Investigations, Headteacher Mr Chris Hunt, said: "The school was alerted yesterday to a critical incident that occurred yesterday afternoon in the Culcheth area, which has deeply shocked and saddened the school community.

"There is an ongoing British Transport Police investigation so information cannot be shared with the wider community at this time.

"We have spoken with staff and students this morning about the incident and a range of support is in place for those who need it. This will continue for the rest of the week."

Pupils were signposted to mental health YoungMinds and bereavement support charities in the letter.

It added: "Rest assured, our student's care and wellbeing are at the forefront of our minds and everything that we do during this difficult time.

"We ask, given the nature of the incident and the ongoing British Transport Police investigation, that everyone respects the privacy of those directly affected and further communication will follow once we are able to share this information."

In a further letter to children and parents on Thursday, Mr Hunt said: "All members of the Culcheth High School community are deeply saddened and shocked by the tragic news regarding our wonderful student, Thomas Reynolds.

"He truly epitomised our school values and was a very popular member of our community.

"Thomas fully involved himself in everything at the school with passion, energy and commitment."

It added that he was a unique character loved by staff and students for his caring nature, positivity and willingness to always be there to help and support his friends and peers.

He added: "We extend our sincere condolences from everyone here at our school community to Thomas’ family, and to the wider group of friends and family who have so many connections to them. We are working closely with Thomas’ family to ensure that the memory of Thomas and his legacy will remain part of our school community forevermore."

Transgander girl Brianna (above) was stabbed to death in a sadistic murder in February 2023.

She attended Birchwood Community College, but both of her killers, Ratcliffe and Jenkinson, (below) both 15 at the time, had been at Culcheth High School.

Brianna was lured to Culcheth Linear Park by Jenkinson in February 2023, before she was brutally knifed to death, with the pair fleeing and leaving her for dead after being disturbed.

Jenkinson had met Brianna at Birchwood Community College after she was transferred there just months earlier after she spiked a 13-year-old pupil at Culcheth High School with a cannabis 'edible' drug in September 2022.

She was repeatedly stabbed before the pair, who were just 15 at the time, fled and left her for dead after being disturbed.

Jenkinson and Ratcliffe were both jailed for life at Manchester Crown Court in February this year with them getting minimum terms of 22 years and 20 years respectively.`