CCTV footage exhibits pedestrians ‘risking their lives’ at stage crossings

Footage exhibits mother and father letting their toddlers play on dwell railway traces, younger folks doing one-armed press-ups, and canine walkers sitting their pets on the tracks for photographs.

Network Rail has launched a compilation of CCTV footage displaying folks “risking their lives” at footpath stage crossings in Worcestershire.

Covert cameras captured six situations of “incredibly dangerous behaviour” at crossings.

The firm stated they had been only a handful of examples out of practically 50 instances of misuse both reported by prepare drivers or caught on hidden cameras.

In one clip, loud music performs whereas an adolescent does one-armed press-ups in the course of a crossing – and in one other a horn sounds as two canine walkers rush throughout eight seconds earlier than a high-speed prepare passes.

One video exhibits a canine walker encouraging two canines to take a seat on the tracks whereas one other takes photographs of them.

Footage additionally exhibits a main faculty aged boy on a scooter speeding over the crossing in entrance of an oncoming prepare that arrives seven seconds later.

A person with two little ladies taking part in on the rails might be seen stating the “pretty hills” within the distance to them – they had been caught on digital camera on the tracks for over 90 seconds.

In one other incident, two boys might be seen putting ballast stones on the monitor so they’re run over by trains.

Alexandra France, Network Rail stage crossing security supervisor, stated: “In so many of the incidents filmed, the difference of just a few seconds could have led to tragedy for those involved.

“I can not downplay the hazard they had been in – with severe harm or worse an enormous risk.

“No matter how well you think you know a crossing, all users must obey the rules around using level crossings every time they use it. It just really isn’t worth the risk.”

Network Rail stage crossing security groups at the moment are visiting the issue crossings to immediately warn folks of the hazards on the railway.

They will likely be handing out leaflets and explaining to passers-by folks utilizing footpath stage crossings ought to: focus; cease, look and pay attention; verify each methods earlier than crossing; perceive the warnings; and cross rapidly, conserving youngsters shut and canines on a lead.