Teens dancing on a level crossing in West Sussex narrowly avoided being hit by a train in a shocking near miss. The pair were seen jumping and appearing to urinate on the rail line where trains go up to 70mph at the crossing on Clappers Lane in Ferring. Four similar incidents occurred in January alone and 22 have been reported since 2019, including multiple people trying to cross tracks quickly before a train passed. 

Barriers come down and red lights turn on when a train is approaching an active level crossing, so there is no doubt for passersby. Network Rail has warned that in addition to the risk of being hit by a fast-moving train, there is also the danger posed by the electric third rail which is always on and carries enough electricity to kill. In response, crossings have been shut while Network Rail looks into improving safety.

Stuart Tautz, operations risk advisor for Network Rail, said: “We take seriously our responsibility to educate people on using the railway safely. 

“We’ve already spoken to local schools about the dangers of not using this level crossing properly, because we need to get the message out there that level crossings just aren’t safe places to play or mess around on.

“The risk of being electrocuted is much greater than you may think, and so we’re urgently getting the message out to children and their parents that there is a risk to life.

“We’re hoping to install warning lights (known as miniature stop lights) at the crossing to give people more confidence in using the crossing, but there are concerns that these lights will not stop deliberate misuse and dangerous behaviours already captured by CCTV and therefore, we may need to take firmer action.”

Lucy McAuliffe, Network Rail’s Sussex route director, said: “These aren’t just isolated incidents, but some of many that we’ve recorded at this location in the last five years. 

“What we’ve seen is just the incidents that are reported, and some of these recent incidents are even more serious because children are involved.

“Our cameras do keep a watch over this crossing, but they are not monitored constantly, unless we’re aware of an incident that’s taken place, so we’re asking people to please take care and take responsibility for their own safety at locations such as this.

“I’d like to thank West Sussex County Council for the part that they have played in granting us the permission to close the crossing while we review the options we have for its future.”