Train line selfies make rail chiefs cross

PEOPLE have been warned not to take selfies on train tracks after eight dangerous incidents were captured by CCTV at one level crossing in Derbyshire in a single day.
By The Newsroom
Published 26th Oct 2015, 13:44 BST
Children sitting on the rails while having their photo taken, and adults crossing the line, at Matlock Bath station in DerbyshireChildren sitting on the rails while having their photo taken, and adults crossing the line, at Matlock Bath station in Derbyshire
Children sitting on the rails while having their photo taken, and adults crossing the line, at Matlock Bath station in Derbyshire

Video footage from Matlock Bath station shows adults and children posing for pictures, sitting on the track and conducting phone conversations while walking along the line.

Network Rail (NR) has urged people to pay more respect to the railway.

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NR operations risk adviser, Martin Brown, said: “Level crossings in rural, picturesque settings such as Matlock may look like good opportunities for a photo but the railway is not a playground.

Children sitting on the rails while having their photo taken, and adults crossing the line, at Matlock Bath station in DerbyshireChildren sitting on the rails while having their photo taken, and adults crossing the line, at Matlock Bath station in Derbyshire
Children sitting on the rails while having their photo taken, and adults crossing the line, at Matlock Bath station in Derbyshire

“Trains can come from either direction at any time and being distracted by chatting, texting or taking photographs while using the crossing significantly increases the risk of an incident.”

Over 30 trains and 500 pedestrians and cyclists go through the Matlock Bath crossing each day.

Inspector Eddie Carlin, of British Transport Police (BTP), said: “The photos captured are extremely worrying. We are really concerned someone is going to get seriously injured or killed at the crossing.

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“Trespassing on the railway is extremely dangerous and can have tragic consequences for those involved. I have had to tell devastated families that their loved ones are not coming home due to incidents such as this and it’s heartbreaking.

Children sitting on the rails while having their photo taken, and adults crossing the line, at Matlock Bath station in DerbyshireChildren sitting on the rails while having their photo taken, and adults crossing the line, at Matlock Bath station in Derbyshire
Children sitting on the rails while having their photo taken, and adults crossing the line, at Matlock Bath station in Derbyshire

“The railway is a dangerous environment. Trains travel at speed and can be silent and if people are trespassing on the tracks and are distracted taking photos, selfies or texting they really are putting themselves in danger.”

BTP has increased patrols in the area and wants to speak to the people in the CCTV images from Matlock Bath. The incidents were all captured on August 30.

The number of level crossing users killed in Britain rose to 10 in 2014-15, the highest number since 2009-10.

NR has closed more than 900 crossing over the past five years and is investing £100 million to improve safety. Around 6,100 crossings remain in operation.

Related topics:PeopleBritish Transport PoliceNetwork RailCCTVDerbyshireMatlock BathTrainsMatlock