Railway police release video of man hit by train

BRITISH Transport Police have released a shocking video of a man being struck by a train to combat people walking on the lines.

The video shows a number of near misses before the final clip shows someone who didn’t move quickly enough and was pulled under a carriage.

Trespassing is on the rise across the region, according to figures from the service.

In the last year there has been a 13% rise in the number of trespassing incidents over the summer months, with young people twice as likely to commit the offence at this time of year.

The transport police have issued a warning to all young people to avoid playing on the tracks after nearly 170 people lost their lives in the past 10 years.

Half of those killed are under the age of 25, with 72% of those struck by trains.

Hayley Bull, community safety manager from Network Rail, said: “We are urging parents to remind their children that if they are on the railway, they are on dangerous ground. It may seem like a good idea to take a shortcut, or like fun to play on the tracks, but this is not only illegal, it is also dangerous.

“Britain has the safest railway in Europe but still too many people lose their lives on the tracks. As the railway gets busier and we electrify more lines to improve service, we must work harder to keep young people safe by making them aware of the dangers that exist. Taking a short cut or messing around on the tracks can result in serious life-changing injuries or death.”

In response to the seasonal surge in incidents, officers from British Transport Police in are stepping up patrols across the region.

Chief Inspector Stuart Middlemas, who is responsible for British Transport Police’s response to trespass in the East Midlands, said: “The last thing our officers want to do is knock on someone’s door to tell a parent their child has been killed or seriously injured as a result of trespassing.

“We’re doing all we can to keep young people safe by patrolling areas where we know they’re likely to trespass and prevent them from doing so. However, we cover thousands of miles of tracks and cannot tackle this issue alone.

“That is why we are urging parents and young people to heed this warning and take a reality check when it comes to trespass and prevent them from doing so. It’s not a game; they are real tracks, with real trains and real life consequences.”

To find out how to keep your children safe on the railway this summer visit www.networkrail.co.uk/ safety