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Moped riders ‘split seconds away from death’ after narrowly avoiding train at level crossing

CCTV shows the scooter speeding past a closed barrier just before a train passes in Sussex.

(British Transport Police)
CCTV showed the moped speeding past a closed barrier just before a train passes in Sussex. (British Transport Police)

Shocking footage shows the moment two moped riders narrowly avoided being hit by a train at a level-crossing.

CCTV showed the riders on a single scooter while speeding past a barrier just before a train passes in Sussex.

British Transport Police (BTP) posted a video of the incident online and called it the “most shocking” they had seen.

A 15-year-old boy was arrested in connection with the incident and has been released under investigation pending further enquiries.

BTP Tweeted: “Some of the most shocking footage we've ever seen at a level crossing in Sussex

“These riders were split seconds away from a catastrophic collision, which we have no doubt would have had fatal consequences.

“Please don't take stupid risks like this on the railway.”

Earlier this month footage was released that showed the moment a pedestrian was just inches away from being hit by a speeding train in Runcorn, Cheshire.

The alarming video was captured by the train's on board cameras and showed the man casually walking across the crossing.

The train, which was the London Euston to Glasgow service, was forced to come to an emergency stop so it didn't hit the pedestrian.

A pedestrian was just inches away from being hit by a speeding train in Runcorn, Cheshire. (SWNS)
A pedestrian was just inches away from being hit by a speeding train in Runcorn, Cheshire. (SWNS)

According to Network Rail, the maximum speed for trains on this section of line is 125mph.

The crossing displays a red warning light when it is unsafe to cross, which the man ignored.

Lucy Jordan, Network Rail's North West head of safety, said the incident on 18 January could have been tragic.

She said: "When I see footage like this it always make my heart stop.

"The difference of just a few seconds could have led to tragedy for this man and I can’t downplay the danger he was in."