Level crossing dangers

Motorists are being told not to risk their lives after there have been 160 incidents on the North East's level crossings within the last year.

Officers from the British Transport Police (BTP) have been at busy level crossings trying to make motorists and pedestrians more aware of the dangers.

They say the largest problem is people being impatient and trying to cross when the barriers are coming down, to avoid waiting for the train to pass. The BTP say this can only be prevented by education and making people realise that they could be risking their lives.

Officers also say the are worried that children playing on the railway and could be seriously hurt. PC Gary Sykes from the British Transport Police is one of those involved in the education programme, giving out leaflets on Teesside this week.

School liaison officers have also been delivering presentations and workshops to children in schools to make them aware of the dangers from an early age.

Back in November 12-year-old schoolgirl Rebecca Huitson was hit by a train at more than 100 mph. It happened on the East Coast Mainline in Dudley, north of Newcastle. Miraculously she survived, but surgeons had to reattach her arm.