PREVIEW

This terrifying CCTV footage shows some of the incidents that have occurred on level crossings over the past year.
The footage includes terrifying incidents whereby individuals narrowly miss being hit by a train, youths climb on a level crossing barrier as it goes up, and even a bike crash that occurs in the middle of a level crossing.
Sam Pead, Network Rail’s Southern region level crossing manager, said: “While our railway is one of the safest in Europe, its critical people understand the dangers and potential consequences of misusing level crossings.
“It’s important to remember that some of the dangers on the railway aren’t always visible. Across the Southern region trains can travel as fast as 140mph and are largely powered by the third rail which carries more than enough electricity to kill or seriously injure and is always on.
“It’s frustrating we continue to see people recklessly risking their lives when crossing the railway.”
There have been 117 near miss incidents involving pedestrians on level crossings so far this year – a 30% decrease on the number of recorded incidents at this same point last year.
The footage has been released to coincide with Network Rail Southern’s safety campaign launched to coincide with the UK school summer holidays.
Nicola Dooris, Network Rail’s Kent route community safety manager, said: “It’s imperative children, and their parents, are educated on how to stay safe when near or using the railway and we work extremely closely with schools all across Kent and South East London to deliver workshops that share good practice and highlight the dangers of trespassing and deliberately misusing level crossings.
“While our railway is one of the safest in Europe, we can’t rest on our laurels and just one injury or death on the railway is one too many. We’ll continue working with schools and the local community to keep everyone safe and our centre in Margate plays a crucial role in supporting this work.”
A British Transport Police (BTP) spokesperson added: “Unfortunately we have seen too many times the tragic and life changing consequences of people ignoring the warnings of danger when being near the railway. Sadly some children think the rail tracks look like tempting places to play and don't consider just how dangerous the tracks can be.”