Parents are being urged to warn their children about the dangers of playing near train tracks after CCTV footage showed youngsters dancing in front on an on-coming train at Burton Joyce.
The shocking footage shows three school-age children walking across a pedestrian crossing near the village before stopping in the middle of the track.
Two girls then hop off the path just inches from the live rails where they dance as a train approaches, before sprinting off.
Other CCTV footage released shows teenagers hanging from a railway bridge in Nottinghamshire.
The teenagers slipped through spiked metal fencing to shuffle across a ledge on a bridge that was just feet away from 25,000-volt overhead power lines.
British Transport Police (BTP), Network Rail and East Midlands Railway are jointly issuing the plea to parents and carers following several serious trespass incidents across the East Midlands.
BTP Nottingham Inspector Ellis Turner said: “Unfortunately we have seen too many times the tragic and life changing consequences of young people ignoring the warnings about trespassing on the railway.
“This summer holidays it is essential that young people know the dangers of being trackside. Education and following a good example from parents and guardians is vital in ensuring the safety of young people, understanding where they are and what they are up to and by discouraging dangerous activities.
MORE: Pleas to bring more rail services to Burton Joyce
He added: “There is unfortunately an increasing number of children and young people who appear to not understand the dangers of being trackside and continue to trespass and make train tracks their playground.
“A common misconception is that you must touch the cable to be electrocuted but physical contact with the cable doesn’t need to happen, 25,000 volts of electricity can jump from the overhead lines. All these things will leave individuals with devastating life changing injuries if not be fatal.
BTP are running a hard-hitting safety campaign with Network Rail called ‘You Vs Train’, that highlights the devastating consequences that trespassing on the railway can have. Find out more at youvstrain.co.uk
Alan Colclough, East Midlands Operations Risk Advisor at Network Rail added: “The reckless behaviour we’ve seen in recent months is deeply concerning.
“The railway is not a playground and you never know when the next train is approaching. The railway is also full of hidden hazards, and on the parts which have overhead electric power lines the electricity is always on.
“We work with partners across the rail industry to educate young people on the dangers of trespassing and level crossing misuse, but we need support from inside the home too. I strongly urge parents to have a conversation about railway safety with their children, especially during the summer holidays.”
Passengers and the public can help by reporting any concerns or incidents by texting on 61016 or calling 0800 405040.”
