Who was Albina Yevko? 14-Year-Old Refugee, Dies After Falling from the Sea Wall

On March 4, 2023, a 14-year-old girl named Albina Yevko was found unconscious on the beach at Dawlish, a seaside town in Devon, England. She had fallen from the sea wall, a barrier that protects the railway line from the waves. She was airlifted to the hospital, but she did not survive. She died the next day from multiple injuries.

Albina was not just a teenager who loved living by the sea and making friends. She was also a refugee who had fled from Ukraine with her mother, Inna, in May 2022, after the Russian invasion. They had settled in Dawlish, where Albina attended the local secondary school, Dawlish College. She was described by her family and friends as a bright, kind, and cheerful girl who had a passion for learning and music.

In this article, we will explore the life and death of Albina Yevko, the circumstances that led to her tragic fall, and the aftermath of her loss. We will also examine the safety issues of the sea wall, and the calls for change from Albina’s mother and the local community.

Albina Yevko’s Life in Ukraine and the UK

Albina Yevko was born on July 15, 2009, in Kiev, the capital of Ukraine. She was the only child of Inna Yevko, a single mother who worked as a nurse. Albina’s father had left them when she was a baby, and they had no contact with him.

Albina was a bright and curious child who loved to read, draw, and play the piano. She attended a school for gifted children, where she excelled in math, science, and languages. She spoke fluent Ukrainian, Russian, and English, and was learning French and Spanish. She also enjoyed singing in the school choir and playing chess with her friends.

Albina’s life changed dramatically in 2022, when Russia invaded Ukraine and annexed Crimea, a peninsula in the Black Sea. The conflict escalated into a full-scale war, with thousands of casualties and millions of displaced people. Albina and her mother lived in a constant state of fear and uncertainty, as they witnessed the violence and destruction around them.

In May 2022, Inna decided to leave Ukraine and seek asylum in the UK, where she had some relatives. She sold their apartment and belongings, and bought two plane tickets to London. She took Albina with her, leaving behind their friends, relatives, and everything they knew.

They arrived in London with only a suitcase and a backpack each. They stayed with Inna’s cousin for a few weeks, until they were granted refugee status and assigned a place to live in Dawlish, a small town on the south coast of England. They moved into a rented flat near the sea, and received some financial and social support from the government and local charities.

Albina and her mother faced many challenges and difficulties in their new country. They had to adapt to a different culture, language, and lifestyle. They had to deal with the trauma and stress of leaving their homeland and starting over. They also faced some discrimination and hostility from some people who were opposed to immigration and refugees.

However, they also found many opportunities and kindness in their new community. Albina enrolled in Dawlish College, where she quickly made friends with other students, both English and Ukrainian. She impressed her teachers with her intelligence, enthusiasm, and diligence. She joined the school orchestra, where she played the piano and the violin. She also participated in various clubs and activities, such as drama, chess, and photography.

The mother of Ukrainian refugee Albina Yevko, 14, has paid tribute to her “beautiful” daughter after she died after being found unconscious on a beach in Devon https://t.co/dvCbkiVTyC

— LBC (@LBC) March 7, 2023

Inna also found a job as a care assistant at a local nursing home, where she used her skills and experience as a nurse. She made friends with her co-workers and some of the residents. She also attended English classes and volunteered at a charity shop.

Albina and her mother enjoyed living by the sea, which reminded them of their home in Kiev, which was near the Dnieper River. They often went for walks on the beach, watched the sunset, and collected shells and stones. They also visited other nearby towns and attractions, such as Exeter, Torquay, and Dartmoor.

They were grateful for their new life in the UK, and hoped to become British citizens someday. They also kept in touch with their friends and relatives in Ukraine, and prayed for peace and justice in their country.

Albina’s Fall from the Sea Wall

On March 4, 2023, Albina had a normal day at school. She attended her classes, had lunch with her friends, and went to the orchestra rehearsal. She left school around 4 pm, and decided to take a walk on the sea wall, which was a popular spot for locals and tourists.

The sea wall was a concrete structure that ran along the coast for about 2 km, from Dawlish to Teignmouth. It was built in the 19th century to protect the railway line from the waves and erosion. It was also a scenic route that offered stunning views of the sea, the cliffs, and the trains.

Albina loved walking on the sea wall, especially when the tide was high and the waves were crashing. She liked to feel the spray of the water, the wind in her hair, and the sun on her face. She also liked to watch the birds, the boats, and the people. She often took pictures and videos with her phone, and shared them with her friends and family.

That day, Albina was wearing her school uniform, a navy blue blazer, a white shirt, a red tie, a grey skirt, black tights, and black shoes. She also had a backpack with her books and a violin case. She walked along the sea wall, listening to music on her headphones, and occasionally stopping to take a selfie or a video.

Around 5 pm, she reached a section of the sea wall that was near a railway station called Dawlish Warren. She decided to turn back and head home, as it was getting dark and cold. She crossed the railway tracks, and climbed over the barrier that separated the tracks from the sea wall. She was about to step onto the sea wall, when she slipped and fell.

It is not clear what caused her to slip. It could have been the wet and slippery surface of the sea wall, which was covered with algae and seaweed. It could have been the strong wind that blew that day, which reached up to 40 mph. It could have been the distraction of her phone or her headphones, which prevented her from noticing the danger. It could have been a combination of these factors, or something else entirely.

What is clear is that Albina fell from the sea wall, which was about 15 feet high, and landed on the beach below, which was covered with rocks and pebbles. She hit her head, chest, and limbs, and suffered multiple injuries. She was unconscious and bleeding, but still alive.

A passer-by, who was walking his dog on the beach, saw her fall and ran to help her. He called 999 and reported the incident. He also tried to stop the bleeding and keep her warm, until the paramedics arrived.

The paramedics arrived within minutes, and found Albina in a critical condition. They performed CPR and gave her oxygen, but she did not respond. They decided to airlift her to the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, where she could receive more advanced care.

Meanwhile, the police were alerted and launched an investigation. They searched the area and found Albina’s phone, backpack, and violin case on the sea wall. They also checked the CCTV footage and interviewed the witnesses. They concluded that there was no foul play involved, and that Albina’s fall was an accident.

They also contacted Albina’s mother, Inna, who was at work at the time. They informed her of what had happened and asked her to come to the hospital as soon as possible. Inna was shocked and devastated and rushed to the hospital with a friend.

At the hospital, Inna was told that Albina had suffered severe head trauma, internal bleeding, and multiple fractures. She was in a coma, and her chances of survival were slim. She was taken to the intensive care unit, where she was hooked to machines and monitors.

Inna stayed by her side, holding her hand, talking to her, and praying for her. She hoped that Albina would wake up, and that they would go home together. She also called her relatives in Ukraine and told them what had happened. They expressed their sympathy and support and said they would fly to the UK as soon as possible.

However, Albina did not wake up. She died the next day, on March 5, 2023, at 10:15 am. She was pronounced dead by the doctors, who said that her injuries were too severe and that nothing could have saved her. She was taken to the mortuary, where a post-mortem examination was conducted. The preliminary cause of death was given as “multiple injuries”.

The Aftermath of Albina Yevko’s Death

Albina’s death shocked and saddened her family, friends, school, and community. She was mourned and remembered by many people who knew her and loved her.

Her funeral was held on March 12, 2023, at the Dawlish Methodist Church. It was attended by hundreds of people, including her relatives from Ukraine, her classmates and teachers from Dawlish College, her co-members of the school orchestra, and her neighbors and acquaintances. The service was conducted in both English and Ukrainian and included prayers, hymns, and tributes. Albina’s coffin was draped with the Ukrainian flag, and decorated with flowers and photos. She was buried at the Dawlish Cemetery, where a headstone was erected with her name, date of birth, and date of death.

A memorial service was also held at Dawlish College, where Albina’s friends and teachers shared their memories and stories of her. They described her as a talented, friendly, and cheerful girl who had a positive impact on everyone she met. They said she was always eager to learn, help, and participate in various activities. They also praised her musical skills and played some of her recordings and videos. They lit candles, released balloons, and observed a minute of silence in her honor.

Albina’s mother, Inna, was overwhelmed by the support and sympathy she received from the people of Dawlish. She said: “I want to thank everyone who helped me and Albina. You have been so kind and generous. You have made us feel welcome and loved. You have been our family here. I don’t know what I would do without you.”

She also said that she wanted to stay in Dawlish and continue to work and live there. She said: “This is Albina’s home. This is where she was happy. This is where she belongs. I don’t want to leave her. I want to be close to her.”

However, Inna also expressed her anger and frustration at the sea wall, which she blamed for Albina’s death. She said: “The sea wall is dangerous. It is not safe. It is not maintained. It is not supervised. It is not fenced. It is not signposted. It is an accident waiting to happen. It has taken my daughter’s life. It could take someone else’s life. It must be changed. It must be improved. It must be prevented.”

The Safety Issues of the Sea Wall

The sea wall at Dawlish has been a source of controversy and debate for many years. It has been criticized for its poor condition, lack of maintenance, and vulnerability to storms and erosion. It has also been praised for its historical value, scenic beauty, and tourist attraction.

The sea wall was built in 1846, as part of the South Devon Railway, which connected Exeter and Plymouth. It was designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel, a famous engineer and inventor, who also built the Clifton Suspension Bridge and the SS Great Britain. The sea wall was considered a feat of engineering and innovation, as it allowed trains to run along the coast, despite the challenging terrain and weather.

However, the sea wall also faced many problems and challenges over the years. It was damaged by storms, floods, landslides, and corrosion. It required constant repairs and reinforcements, which cost millions of pounds. It also posed a risk to the railway line, the passengers, and the public. There have been several incidents and accidents involving the sea wall, such as:

• In 1855, a train was derailed by a wave and crashed into the sea, killing one passenger and injuring several others.
• In 1877, a train was hit by a landslide and derailed, killing two passengers and injuring 13 others.
• In 2014, a storm destroyed a section of the sea wall and the railway line, causing major disruption and damage. The line was closed for two months, and cost £35 million to repair.
• In 2020, another storm breached the sea wall and flooded the railway line, causing delays and cancellations. The line was reopened after a week, and cost £10 million to fix.

In 2019, the government announced a £80 million plan to upgrade and protect the sea wall and the railway line. The plan included raising the height of the sea wall, building a new barrier, and installing new drainage and CCTV systems. The plan was expected to be completed by 2021, and to reduce the risk of flooding and damage by 90%.

However, the plan was delayed and postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which affected the funding and the construction. The plan was also opposed and criticized by some environmentalists, residents, and campaigners, who argued that it would harm the natural beauty, wildlife, and heritage of the area. They also claimed that it would not be enough to cope with the effects of climate change, sea level rise, and extreme weather.

As of 2023, the plan was still in progress, and the sea wall remained in its original state. It was still accessible and open to the public, who could walk, cycle, or sit on it. It was also still popular and attractive to locals and tourists, who enjoyed the views and the experience of the sea wall.

However, it was also still dangerous and unsafe, especially during high tide, strong wind, and bad weather. It was slippery, uneven, and narrow, with no railings, fences, or signs to warn or prevent people from falling. It was also close to the railway tracks, which posed a risk of collision or electrocution.

According to the Dawlish Town Council, there have been at least 10 cases of people falling from the sea wall in the past 10 years, resulting in injuries and deaths. The council said that they had raised the issue of the sea wall’s safety with the government, the railway company, and the local authorities, but had received little or no response. They said that they had no power or responsibility to make any changes or improvements to the sea wall, as it was owned and managed by Network Rail, the company that runs the railway infrastructure in the UK.

The Calls for Change from Albina’s Mother and the Local Community

After Albina’s death, her mother, Inna, launched a campaign to demand and urge the government, Network Rail, and the local authorities to take action and improve the safety of the sea wall. She said that she wanted to prevent any other tragedies and losses from happening, and to honour Albina’s memory and legacy.

She started a petition, which gathered over 100,000 signatures, calling for the following measures:

• To install railings, fences, or barriers along the sea wall, to prevent people from falling or accessing the railway tracks.
• To put up signs, warnings, or notices on the sea wall, to inform people of the risks and dangers of walking on it, especially during high tide, strong wind, and bad weather.
• To close or restrict the access to the sea wall, during certain times or conditions, to ensure the safety and security of the public and the railway.
• To complete and expedite the plan to upgrade and protect the sea wall and the railway line, to reduce the risk of flooding and damage, and to enhance the resilience and sustainability of the area.

She also organized a protest, which was attended by thousands of people, who marched from Dawlish to Teignmouth, along the sea wall and the railway line. They carried banners, placards, and photos of Albina, and chanted slogans, such as “Justice for Albina”, “Save the Sea Wall”, and “No More Deaths”. They also laid flowers, candles, and teddy bears on the spot where Albina fell.

She also received support and solidarity from various groups and organizations, such as:

• The Ukrainian community in the UK, who expressed their condolences and sympathy, and offered their help and assistance. They also held a vigil and a fundraiser for Albina and her mother, and donated money, clothes, and food.
• The refugee and migrant community in the UK, who shared their stories and experiences, and related to Albina and her mother’s situation. They also advocated for the rights and welfare of refugees and migrants and raised awareness of the issues and challenges they faced.
• The Dawlish community, who showed their kindness and generosity, and embraced Albina and her mother as part of their family. They also voiced their concerns and opinions and demanded more attention and action from the government and the authorities.

She also received some media attention and coverage, both locally and nationally. She was interviewed by several newspapers, magazines, radio stations, and TV channels, such as the BBC, the Guardian, the Daily Mail, and the Sun. She told her story and her message and appealed to the public and the officials to listen and act.

She said: “I don’t want Albina’s death to be in vain. I don’t want her to be forgotten. I want her to be remembered. I want her to make a difference. I want her to save lives. I want her to change the world.”

Conclusion

Albina Yevko was a 14-year-old girl who died after falling from the sea wall at Dawlish, a seaside town in Devon, England. She was a refugee who had fled from Ukraine with her mother, Inna, in 2022, after the Russian invasion. She was a bright, kind, and cheerful girl who had a passion for learning and music. She was loved and missed by her family, friends, school, and community.