Urgent warning after woman comes within "half a second" of being hit by train in Southport
Rail bosses say it's the closest near miss they've ever seen
An urgent safety warning has been issued after a woman in Southport came within half a second of being hit by a train.
It happened last month when a female pedestrian ignored the warning lights and audible signals, coming within half a second of being struck by an oncoming train.
The Crescent Road level crossing is located on the Northern line of the Merseyrail network between Birkdale and Hillside stations, where trains travel at speeds of up to 60 mph.
Simon Shipperd, Network Rail level crossing manager said, "In my time as a level crossing manager, I haven’t seen a near miss this close to being a fatality.
"The individual appeared to be completely unaware of her surroundings, suggesting she may have been distracted at the time.
"Safety is our top priority and we cannot stress the message to pedestrians enough to please take extra care when approaching level crossings."
Chief Inspector Jamie McGowan said: “There is simply no excuse for misusing a level crossing and ignoring safety procedures. Trying to beat the system or failing to pay attention not only puts your own life at risk, but also the lives of the passengers and staff of the oncoming train.
“The railways can be incredibly dangerous, which is why people need to do the right thing when using railway level crossings and treat them with respect. If you see anyone failing to adhere to the safety procedures and putting themselves and others in harm’s way, I urge you to report it to us by texting 61016 or by calling us. Always dial 999 in an emergency.”
Network Rail emphasises the importance of adhering to safety signals at level crossings to prevent such dangerous incidents. With nearly 6,000 level crossings across the rail network in Britain, safety at these crossings is a top priority.
Over £200 million has been invested in improving safety at thousands of crossings since 2009, including closures, building bridges, installing new barriers, and warning systems, and educating the public on safe crossing practices.
As part of its ongoing efforts to enhance public awareness, Network Rail has launched the "You've crossed the line" campaign. This campaign aims to make people more aware of their surroundings and the potential dangers when using footpath level crossings.