Warning to parents after kids dance on rail tracks as train roars past in alarming footage

Network Rail has issued a warning to parents after CCTV captured footage of a group of children playing on the railway in Oxfordshire. The shocking footage shows the children playing and dancing on a level crossing at Wantage Road, Grove, just inches away from a passing high-speed train.

It was discovered after the driver of a 125mph express train reported applying the emergency brakes after seeing the group on the track. Network Rail condemned the children’s behaviour as “reckless and dangerous.”

The CCTV shows two children standing on the tracks as the train approaches before one is seen retreating behind a barrier while the other starts dancing as the train speeds past just a couple of meters away. Two other people then approach the children before the group cross the tracks to the other side.

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Wantage Road level crossing is based in the village of Grove, Oxfordshire and allows users to cross the four tracks of the high-speed main line between Didcot and Swindon, which sees around 200 trains per day. It is a ‘passive crossing’ meaning users must look both ways for approaching trains before making the decision to cross safely.

Other CCTV footage has also shown similar instances of groups of children deliberately misusing the level crossing including trespassing on the railway track itself, filming and photographing themselves in the middle of the track, and even one child performing tricks on their scooter whilst on the track. Three similar incidents have been reported over the past month and Network Rail’s community safety team is working closely with the British Transport Police visiting local schools and communities to educate the public on safe