Train almost hits pedestrian on railway tracks seconds after he climbs level crossing barrier

CCTV captured the moment a high-speed train narrowly missed a pedestrian who strolled across a railway line without a care in the world. Network Rail released video of the man, wearing a dark hoodie and with a drawstring bag on his back, scaling the safety barriers in Oldbury, West Mids.

He can then be seen strolling across the railway line, when a train approaches and misses him by just four seconds. The footage was recorded near Langley Green Train Station on April 27 and has prompted a warning from railway bosses.

Network Rail said it was just one of eight recorded instances of "level crossing misuse" at that location since January this year alone. The operator is urging people to only ever cross at level crossings when the barriers are up and warning alarms aren't sounding.

Natalie Stretton, head of operational risk for Network Rail’s Central route, said: “This footage at Langley Green is extremely disappointing and concerning. Moments later and this could have led to tragedy, which doesn’t bear thinking about for the sake of a few minutes. Despite the clear and obvious dangers of not using level crossings correctly, and all the work we do to educate people about how to use them, it seems people still want to risk their lives. I can’t stress enough the importance of following the rules to help keep everyone safe.”