EXCLUSIVE: Shocking footage of youngsters dicing with death on railway level crossing
Network Rail has released the video to us as a warning to youngsters not to play or trespass on train tracks this summer
Last updated 2nd Aug 2017
A shocking video has been released showing young people on a moped putting their lives and others at risk as they swerve at speed around safety barriers at a Greater Manchester level crossing.
The rider of the moped is seen weaving between the barriers at Navigation Road level crossing in Altrincham, before his passenger is hit by the second crossing barrier.
The manoeuvre saw the speeding motorbike narrowly miss the first barriers as they lowered and hitting the second barriers which knocked the passenger off. The rider stopped to pick up the injured passenger before speeding off.
It comes after a train hit a wheelie bin which was deliberately placed on train tracks in Blackburn overnight.
Figures from Network Rail reveal that young people are more likely to have a near miss at a level crossing during the summer - light nights, coupled with the summer holidays, spell extra danger with August and early September seeing near misses at level crossings rise.
While Britain still has the safest rail network in Europe, level crossings are one of the biggest public safety risks on the railway. In the last five years there have been more than 2,000 incidents on level crossings involving young people.
Ben Parish, route level crossing manager for Network Rail, said: “This selfish duo had callous neglect for the safety of themselves and others by ignoring the barriers and flashing signals. Level crossing barriers and warning lights are there to help road users, pedestrians and railway users stay safe. Misusing crossings in this way could result in serious injury or worse.
“I can’t emphasise strongly enough the importance of safe and sensible level crossing use. If anyone has any concerns about a level crossing I would urge them to contact us immediately.”
To report incidents like this or any other railway-related crime contact Network 24 hours-a-day on 03457 11 41 41. For more information on level crossings visit www.networkrail.co.uk/level-crossing