Shocking footage has emerged of a teenage boy playing a deadly game of chicken with a train travelling at nearly 100mph, in an incident that has left railway authorities horrified.
The reckless stunt, captured on camera near Didcot in Oxfordshire, shows the youth standing perilously close to the tracks as the high-speed service approaches at breakneck speed. At the very last moment, the teenager leaps away from certain death in what appears to be a calculated act of bravado.
A Heart-Stopping Moment
British Transport Police have condemned the "utterly stupid" behaviour after reviewing the footage, which shows the train's emergency brakes being applied in a desperate attempt to avoid a catastrophe. The driver was reportedly left shaken by the traumatic incident, which occurred on a mainline route.
"This wasn't just reckless - it was a potential suicide mission," a transport police spokesperson stated. "The outcome could have been devastating for everyone involved, from the teenager to the train driver and passengers."
Growing Concern Over Railway Safety
The near-miss has highlighted ongoing concerns about safety on Britain's railways, particularly among young people seeking dangerous thrills. Network Rail has reported increasing instances of trespassing and risky behaviour near tracks.
Safety campaigners are urging parents and schools to reinforce the message that railway lines are strictly off-limits. "No photo or video is worth your life," warned one railway safety officer. "The consequences of misjudging a train's speed are always fatal."
The incident serves as a stark reminder that what might seem like an adrenaline-fuelled game can quickly turn into tragedy on the UK's high-speed rail network.
