Brits warned to stop taking selfies on rail tracks

UK Officials Warning People to Stop Taking Selfies on Railroad Tracks
UK Officials Warning People to Stop Taking Selfies on Railroad Tracks



People across Britain are being asked to stop taking 'selfies' and photos while standing on railway tracks - after CCTV captured eight dangerous incidents in just a day at one level crossing in Derbyshire.

The footage reveals that one group of people spent more than eight minutes on the railway taking photographs and chatting, and two children even sat down on the tracks while they posed for a photo.

See also: Boy runs across track and gets stuck at level crossing gates

The incidents all happened at Matlock Bath station in Derbyshire on 30 August, and Network Rail has released the CCTV footage as an example of what not to do.

Matlock Bath sees just over 30 trains a day, reports Sky News.

See also: Network Rail safety meeting bans fathers of two teens killed at a level crossing

The station has a "stop, look and listen" sign at the crossing gate and more than 500 pedestrians and cyclists pass through each day.

Speaking to the BBC, Martin Brown, operations risk adviser at Network Rail, said: "Trains can come from either direction at any time and being distracted by chatting, texting or taking photographs while using the crossing significantly increases the risk of an incident."

The station is in a picturesque location and was built in the style of a Swiss chalet, which could explain why people are so keen to have their photo taken there.

"Level crossings in rural, picturesque settings such as Matlock may look like good opportunities for a photo but the railway is not a playground," said Mr Brown.

Inspector Eddie Carlin said: "I have had to tell devastated families that their loved ones are not coming home due to incidents such as this and it's heartbreaking."

Level crossings were built with the Victorian railway more than 100 years ago when there were fewer and slower trains, reports the BBC.

There are approximately 6,100 level crossings in Britain, but more than 900 have been closed over the past five years.

People Dice with Death in Level Crossing Near Misses
People Dice with Death in Level Crossing Near Misses

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