Get Shit Done

Tube 'graffiti mission' death pair named
By Niel Bekker
Comment | Read Comments (10)

Daniel Elgar and his girlfriend Jodie Shea. The 19-year-old was killed when he was struck by a District line train
Two men who died on a "graffiti mission" at an east London depot have been named as Daniel Elgar, 19, and Bradley Chapman, 21.

The men, both from Essex, died after being hit by a District line train at Barking depot on Friday night.

It believed they were running after being spotted by security guards on the track.

Passengers were led along the tracks and to nearby Upney station.
Chief Superintendent Paul Crowther said there was "no suggestion" that the men were being chased by security when the accident occurred.

"What happened to cause that is part of our inquiries, but I am confident to say there is no suggestion that they were being chased," he said.

"The loss of these two young lives is made even more tragic, and more difficult for their families to bear by the fact these deaths could have been avoided.
"For untrained people the railway is an extremely dangerous environment and had these young men not been on the railway they would still be alive today."


Bradley Chapman, 21, was killed alongside his 19-year-old friend at Barking depot
The British Transport Police are now reviewing CCTV footage and interviewing witnesses.

The investigation is focusing on events leading up to the tragic incident and what the two men were doing on the railway at the time.

"This incident highlights how dangerous trespass is on the railway. Those who are determined to gain access to the railway are putting their lives at risk," Mr Crowther added.


The others, aged 23 and 25, were arrested for questioning by police before being released on bail.

The gang is reported to have planned on "bombing" the station with graffiti, covering as many surfaces as possible with graffiti.

A large "bombing" incident occurred at Camden Town on Christmas Day, as a large graffiti crew caused over £20,000 of damage by spraying paint on the walls and electronic timetables.

Counter-culture graffiti artists like the Bristol-based Banksy have found a massive audience in the young urban population, feeding off of increased exposure in films and video games.

London Underground spends £20 million annually on graffiti removal, by its own estimates.

In 2005/06, 799 cases were reported on the London Underground alone.


BE SAFE LONDON