The Scotsman

Train driver feared he had struck two youths

- By DOUGLAS BARRIE

A train driver thought he had hit two youths who were spotted lying on the railway tracks, according to British Transport Police.

The force has issued a statement reinforcin­g the dangers of Scotland' s railway after the incident involving an A rd ross an Harbour to Glasgow Central service on Friday.

The two youths were seen lying on the tracks at Hillington, Glasgow, at 9.28pm.

Police Scotland’s helicopter was sent to search the area and found nobody had been hit by the train.

In separate incidents, children were spotted trespassin­g near Paisley Gilm our Street Station, also on Friday at 9.28pm, and in Falkirk Grahamston Station on Thursday at 7.26 pm, standing on a bridge trying to touch the overhead wires.

Superinten­dent David Marshall, British Transport Police head of operations in Scotland, said: “This type of behaviour is incredibly dangerous.

“Trains travel at high speeds, have a long stop - ping distance and they cannot swerve out of the way.

“Some of the railway is also electrifie­d, meaning overhead power lines are installed which carr y 25,000 volts.”

He added: “Coming into contact with this equipmento­r being hit by a train would have life-changing consequenc­es, cause devastatin­g injuries and can be fatal.

“It's extremely concerning that there have been these incidents.

“Too many times we have seen the tragic consequenc­es of children ignoring the warnings and taking risks that have resulted in terrible injuries or death .”

 ??  ?? 0 Scotrail driver feared for youngsters’ safety
0 Scotrail driver feared for youngsters’ safety

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