Plea to stay off railway tracks

CHILDREN – and adults – are being warned not to stray onto railway lines and trespass into the path of danger.

The annual summertime plea from the British Transport Police (BTP) will strike a chord with people this year, still in shock at the deaths of two family men who died when their car was hit by a train at Great Coates level crossing.

Just hours after their tragic deaths, pedestrians were spotted dicing with death on the same track.

Officers had to break off from their investigations in the immediate aftermath of the crash and give chase to three men taking a shortcut across the tracks.

Later, a youth with a bicycle also crossed the track seconds before a train passed.

As reported, colleagues Paul Hodge, 47, of Nunsthorpe, and David Williams, 40, died when Paul's Volvo was hit by a train on the Great Coates level crossing. An inquest is expected to be held in November.

Their deaths and the incidents afterwards horrified an already shocked community, and today, the BTP is re-issuing its plea for both young and old to be aware of the dangers posed by the railway.

The force is also urging parents to know where their children go to play.

As a result, the network will be the subject of increased patrols – including by officers in plain clothes – to deter people tempted to trespass – and catch those who do.

The BTP is also launching a crackdown on what are known as "route crime" offences, such as stone throwing, putting obstructions in front of trains and vandalism.

CCTV will also be monitored at stations.

Chief Inspector of Operations Derek O'Mara said: "Sadly, during school holidays, and with the onset of warmer weather and longer nights, we often see a rise in children and young people trespassing on the tracks in the summer, and officers are worried that someone will get seriously injured or killed.

"We are hoping that by targeting hot spots and through the education work we have already done, we will reduce the number of incidents this summer and deter the majority of youngsters from playing or hanging around on the railways.

"This is not about stopping children having fun – it is about keeping them safe from harm.

"BTP officers are all too often called to incidents where youngsters have been injured and, in some cases, killed because they were messing about on or near the railway. "We do not want to have to tell any family that their son or daughter will not be coming home.

"I cannot overstate just how dangerous such trespassing is. "Though youngsters may think they are perfectly safe, they often fail to realise the true situation.

"Trains can approach quietly and, if you are trespassing, often when you do hear it, it can be too late to move out of the way.

"Unlike cars, trains cannot swerve to avoid people or items in their path; it can take up to the length of 20 football pitches for a train to stop.

"The message is simple – stay safe and keep off the tracks."

Click here to listen to an interview with Chief Inspector Derek O'Mara