Close call as men with young girls dash across rail tracks

CCTV shows group on level crossing seconds before train passes through

Shocking CCTV footage reveals the moment two young girls and two men dashed through a red light and over a level crossing just seconds before a train passed through.

The group narrowly avoided being struck by the high-speed service during the reckless act in Whitehall Lane, Canterbury, shortly after midday last Monday.

Network Rail released the footage days later, criticising the men involved for risking the lives of the children.

Its regional head of crime and security, Gerardo Chiariello, said: “I’m really shocked by the attitude of these adults. “I sometimes hear people talking as if trespass and misusing level crossings is something young people do, but these were people in positions of responsibility for young lives and they thought running across in front of a train was a good example to set.

“It’s absolutely crucial that everyone understands the dangers of the railway and how to treat it with respect.” British Transport Police Inspector Jonathan Pine says the incident could have resulted in someone being killed. “Trains take a long time to stop,” he said.

“From full speed it could even be a full kilometre, and in both of these incidents a single person falling over or off their bike could have been fatal. “The Covid-19 crisis needs everyone to look out for each other and their families and these incidents showed a disturbing lack of any sort of sense of responsibility. “We’ve also got a simple message: The instructions at level crossings are clear. Don’t ignore them.”

Jim Maxwell, head of drivers for Southeastern, says such incidents can take a mental toll on those operating the trains. “Our drivers are critical workers delivering a very important service to get people who have to travel to, where they need to be during the current crisis, and don’t deserve the extra stress that these types of incidents cause,” he said. “Reckless trespass incidents like this can have a profound effect on our drivers’ mental health, particularly when there are younger people involved. “It often means that the drivers have to take time off whilst they recover, and are supported through their ordeal.”

The group dashes across the tracks as the train approaches at speed

The train passed through seconds later