CCTV of level crossing near miss released (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

CCTV of level crossing near miss released

5:30pm Monday 9th February 2009 in Local video news

DRAMATIC footage of a pedestrian coming within a whisker of being hit by a high speed train has been released as Network Rail call for tougher sentences for people who break the law.

The CCTV shows a man cheating death at a crossing similar to the one in Highams Park.

Network Rail is calling on judges and magistrates to make examples of road users who jump lights and dodge barriers, putting their lives, and the lives of others, in danger.

Iain Coucher, Network Rail chief executive, said: “The toughest consequence of breaking the law at a level crossing is to lose your life - thankfully that does not happen very often. But every week we see people who ignore warning signs and lights, or drive round barriers at level crossings just to save a few minutes.

“This behaviour has the potential for massive damage, disruption or death.”

Last year, there were more then 3,400 incidents of people misusing level crossings and, on average, three motorists a week were involved in a near miss.

Five pedestrians are involved in a near miss and 15 people lost their lives at level crossings inn 2008.