A shocking video captured the terrifying moment a young girl narrowly avoids a speeding
The heart-stopping footage shows a Southern train hurtling past, just inches from hitting the girl as she crosses a railway line.
She, along with an older pedestrian, sprint across the tracks, barely escaping what could have been a tragic accident.
This incident, which took place earlier this year, was shared by Network Rail to highlight the dangers of misusing level crossings.
According to Network Rail, there were 466 instances of level crossing misuse and 28 near misses along their Wessex route in the 2023-24 financial year.
Video shows moment speeding a train misses girl at level crossing by just inches (Image: Network Rail)
In July, Sam Pead, Network Rail’s Southern region level crossing manager, said: “While our railway is one of the safest in Europe, its critical people understand the dangers and potential consequences of misusing level crossings.
“It’s important to remember that some of the dangers on the railway aren’t always visible.
“Across the Southern region trains can travel as fast as 140mph and are largely powered by the third rail which carries more than enough electricity to kill or seriously injure and is always on.
“It’s frustrating we continue to see people recklessly risking their lives when crossing the railway.
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The girl and another person ran for their lives when the noticed the train approaching (Image: Network Rail)
“We work exceptionally hard alongside our partners to educate people about the dangers of the railway and with the start of school summer holidays, we’re urging children and their parents to respect the railway, stay safe, and remain vigilant when crossing the railway.”
Level crossings remain one of the most significant public safety hazards on the railway, the rail operator noted.
Across England, Wales, and Scotland, there are nearly 6,000 of these crossings. Since 2009, around 1,300 have been closed to improve safety. However, Network Rail acknowledged shutting them down isn’t always feasible as they are important to their many customers.
In response to the ongoing risks, Network Rail launched the ‘Distracted? You’ve Crossed the Line’ campaign, targeting young adults aged 18-34. The initiative encourages people to stay alert and avoid distractions when using level-crossing