SHOCKING FOOTAGE: Youngsters risk lives by playing on railway tracks

Youngsters play on the tracks in Sittingbourne Credit: Network Rail

Shocking footage showing youngsters playing on rail tracks in Kent has been released to warn others of the risk to life.

The footage was taken at Simpson's foot crossing in Sittingbourne earlier this year.

Network Rail and the British Transport Police has introduced new technology as near misses involving children in the South East is expected to rise during the summer months.

The system will alert people using their phones near level crossings, to put them away.

Lighter nights and the summer holidays mean young people are more likely to have a near miss, with 70% due to distraction.

The top three distractions are friends (40%), headphones (20%) or mobile phones (12%).

29% of young adults admitted using their mobile phone while crossing a railway.

The young people in the CCTV footage were identified and the danger of their actions explained.

Credit: Network Rail

Locations where the new alert systems have been installed:

  • Dibley’s foot crossing, Chartham, near Canterbury in Kent

  • Glebe Way foot crossing, Whitstable, Kent

  • Whitehall Road, level crossing, Canterbury, Kent

  • Simpson’s foot crossing, Sittingbourne, Kent

  • Teynham West foot crossing, near Faversham, Kent

  • Red Lane Holland, foot crossing, Oxted, Surrey

  • Rushford’s foot crossing, Lingfield, Surrey

  • Bourneview foot crossing, Kenley, Surrey

  • Warnham foot crossing, North Horsham, West Sussex

  • Stockbridge and Basin Road level crossings, Chichester, West Sussex

To find out more about how to stay safe when using level crossings visit Network Rail's website.