Featured Image Credit: London North Eastern Railway
Topics: UK News
Jess Hardiman
One UK rail company is marking Rail Safety Week with a few words of caution, sharing shocking footage of a child climbing on train tracks and being rescued – but only just.
The thing is, many people have been left surprised – and arguably a little distracted – by one key detail from the footage, having all found themselves pointing out the same thing on social media.
Posting a compilation video on X, London North Eastern Railway (LNER) said: “This #RailSafetyWeek, we're sharing CCTV footage to highlight the importance of safety at train stations.
“Thankfully, they only resulted in minor physical injuries, but some could have had a much more serious outcome. Please be aware of your surroundings when travelling.”
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According to LNER, there have been eight safety incidents with children at its stations ‘already’ this year.
One clip showed the moment a child fell in between the train and platform at Darlington station, while another saw a baby falling out of a buggy while getting onto a train at Newcastle.
Another showed a child climbing down from the platform at Newark Northgate station in Nottinghamshire.
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Thankfully, a man spotted what had happened and jumped down to help the youngster, lifting them up safely onto the platform before climbing back up himself, just a matter of seconds before a train sped past.
LNER said it had released the footage to ‘highlight the importance of safety’, adding: "Thankfully, they have all resulted in only minor physical injuries.
"But as the footage shows, some could have had a much more serious outcome."
After the clip was shared on Instagram by Sky News, many people pointed out the same thing about the footage.
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One commented: “I think they need to consider upgrading their CCTV from VHS.”
Another agreed: “It's 2024 and the quality of the stations CCTV is that bad? Give over.”
A third joked: “Which pixel is the child?”
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Olivia Timms, station customer services assistant at Newart Station said in a statement that the incident had been ‘really upsetting’ for the child and their family, as well as for customers and colleagues to witness.
"I think the fact a train came through the station at speed just seconds after emphasised just how awful the outcome could have been,” Timms said.
"Thankfully, everyone made it home safely that day and we want to make sure that happens every day."
Warrick Dent, the safety and operations director at LNER, added: "Travelling by train is one of the safest ways to travel and thankfully incidents like the ones captured on the CCTV are rare, but they do happen.
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"We know that travelling with children can be challenging.
"Navigating buggies and luggage through a busy station can be stressful.
"So, we want to make sure parents and carers are aware of the services we have available which can make their journey with us smoother and safer."