Train forced into emergency stop after 'reckless' dog walker invades railway crossing

Heart-stopping footage shows the man ignore the flashing red lights and barge through barriers at Blakedown station near Kidderminster.

He drags his dog over the level crossing while appearing to angrily gesture to drivers either side of the barriers who desperately try to warn him.

After marching over the rail lines and pushing through the second lowered barrier, a train screeches to a halt just feet away.

Network Rail have released CCTV of the near miss, which happened at 10.27am on Tuesday (13/2), as a warning to pedestrians.

Natalie Stretton, head of operational risk for Network Rail’s Central route, said: “There’s never any excuse for this kind of reckless behaviour.

“The difference of just a few seconds could have led to tragedy and I can’t downplay the danger they put themselves in.

"I’d like to use this video as a reminder to anyone who uses level crossings to do so safely.

“No matter how well you think you know a crossing, all users must obey the safety systems in place such as lights and barriers which are there to protect the communities we serve.

"When crossing the railway, I'd urge people to think about their own safety as well as the impact their actions could have on their family, the wider community and train drivers. It really isn’t worth the risk.”

Between April and October last year, there were 2,981 near misses involving people on level crossings – a hike of 31 per cent from 2022.

Jamie Ainsworth, health, safety, security and environment director at West Midlands Railway, said: “I hope this video will remind the public to concentrate, wait behind barriers and follow instructions at level crossings to stay safe at all times.

“Incidents like this can also have a big impact on train drivers and I urge the public to bear this in mind when using level crossings.”