Caught on camera: Man dodges death by 4 seconds on train track

Police have released the moment a hair-brained man risked his life by running through a closed level crossing - and was almost hit by an express train. SCROLL DOWN TO SEE THE VIDEO

The CCTV footage shows the tense moment the man missed being hit by a high-speed train by just four seconds.

The unidentified man is seen dancing and jeering on the track while crossing barriers are coming down at Long Eaton in Nottinghamshire on Sunday 13 March.

Sergeant Rob Bowley, from the British Transport Police, expressed his disbelief, saying:

'The risks taken by people at this and other crossings are simply unbelievable,' he said.

'In this instance the man has not only crossed the line whilst barriers were coming down but he also jumped back across narrowly missing being hit by the train.'

'What is even more shocking is that the crossing has a staircase which runs over the track, allowing pedestrians to safely the track whilst the barriers are down.'

Richard Pedley, community safety manager for Network Rail, added: 'A few centimetres difference and this could be an entirely different story.

'Re-entering a crossing once the barriers are down is extremely reckless.

'The train driver involved must have had an awful shock and the pedestrian was lucky to escape with his life.

'I hope these pictures help to remind people that crossing barriers and warning lights are there to protect your safety, and to use crossings properly.'

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