The family of a mum-of-one who died after being hit by a train say she was 'let down' by police. Kiena Dawes, 23, was found dead on train tracks last Friday (July 22) having left her nine-month-old daughter, Marine, with a close friend just hours before.
This tragic incident took place just 11 days after she was allegedly assaulted by a man who she should have been protected from by police, her family say. Her brother, Kynan, has since paid tribute to an 'amazing young girl' and said that she just wanted a 'happy life'.
Kynan also shared shocking new photos of a bloodied and bruised Kiena following an alleged assault which came despite police having recently fitted panic alarms in her home. He has heavily criticised Lancashire Police after they referred themselves to a watchdog due to their contact with the mum before her death.
READ MORE: Young mum tragically dies after falling out of bed in the middle of the night
The builder from Blackpool told the ECHO : “The police have let my sister down. They did not do enough. They’re going to find out why nothing happened, and why it got to the point where she felt she wasn’t being looked after by the service, which she should be."
He added: “The girl was very, very well loved. She never said a bad word about anybody. She just wanted to live a happy little life."
Kiena was recovered from train tracks near Garstang, Lancashire, just after 1pm last Friday after a frantic search by family and friends. Kynan said she had sought help roughly five weeks earlier from police following multiple assault allegations. He said Lancashire Police had fitted her home with a panic alarm and given her a special necklace that had a button she could press if she felt like she was in danger.
But Kynan said this hadn't stopped her attacker coming to her home on July 11, before he allegedly split her head open, leaving her completely traumatised. And he said the local police should have done more to help her as she attempted to bring her alleged attacker to court.
He said: “The police have let my sister down, they have. She wanted to go through the legal route to get justice. The girl is dead now, but it should have gone to CPS ages ago."
“Kiena was the most amazing little girl from when she was first born. She was very bubbly, very nice. We moved to Cyprus. She used to speak fluent Greek.
“She had loads of friends in Cyprus. And then we moved back to the UK as my dad had an accident, which did knock her."
A spokesperson for British Transport Police confirmed that Kiena had passed away on a train line and added that they were not treating the death as suspicious.
They said: “British Transport Police were called to the line in Preston at 1.05 pm on Friday 22 July following reports of a casualty on the tracks. Paramedics also attended, however sadly a woman was pronounced dead at the scene. This incident is not being treated as suspicious and a file will be prepared for the coroner.’”
A spokesperson for Lancashire Constabulary confirmed that the force had referred itself to the IOPC (Independent Office for Police Conduct) due to their contact with Kiena.
They said: “First and foremost our thoughts are with Kiena’s loved ones at this difficult time. We have referred ourselves to the IOPC (Independent Office for Police Conduct) in relation to contact we had with Kiena before her death.
“Therefore, it would be inappropriate to comment any further at this time. A 28-year-old man from Fleetwood has been arrested on suspicion of actual bodily harm and released on bail pending inquiries."
You can contact the Samaritans for free 24 hours a day by calling 116 123 every day.
For more of today's top stories click here.
READ NEXT:
Plans for 33-storey apartment block rejected twice for being 'too tall' finally approved
Idiot instigated argument in Manchester city centre and ended up getting stabbed in the neck
Holidaymaker accidentally took 'six inch' knife through Manchester Airport security
Young woman told by GP she was just 'stressed' - before finding out she had a brain tumour
