Cab footage shows the heart-stopping moment a woman narrowly misses being hit by a train. The woman, who ignored warning lights and signals, attempted to cross the track in Southport, before noticing the oncoming train and jumping back just in time to avoid a dangerous accident.
Footage of the near-miss, released by Network Rail, happened at 9:45am on 24 January 2025 at a level crossing on Crescent Road, on Merseyrail’s Northern Line between Birkdale and Hillside.
Simon Shipperd, Network Rail level crossing manager said:
“In my time as a level crossing manager, I haven’t seen a near miss this close to being a fatality.
“The individual appeared to be completely unaware of her surroundings, suggesting she may have been distracted at the time.
“Safety is our top priority and we cannot stress the message to pedestrians enough to please take extra care when approaching level crossings.”
Chief Inspector Jamie McGowan said:
“There is simply no excuse for misusing a level crossing and ignoring safety procedures. Trying to beat the system or failing to pay attention not only puts your own life at risk, but also the lives of the passengers and staff of the oncoming train.
“The railways can be incredibly dangerous, which is why people need to do the right thing when using railway level crossings and treat them with respect. If you see anyone failing to adhere to the safety procedures and putting themselves and others in harm’s way, I urge you to report it to us by texting 61016 or by calling us. Always dial 999 in an emergency.”
Network Rail emphasises the importance of adhering to safety signals at level crossings to prevent such dangerous incidents. With nearly 6,000 level crossings across the rail network in Britain, safety at these crossings is a top priority.
Over £200 million has been invested in improving safety at thousands of crossings since 2009, including closures, building bridges, installing new barriers, and warning systems, and educating the public on safe crossing practices.
As part of its ongoing efforts to enhance public awareness, Network Rail has launched the “You’ve crossed the line” campaign. This campaign aims to make people more aware of their surroundings and the potential dangers when using footpath level crossings.
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