Lincoln man dices with death as he staggers across level crossing seconds before train thunders past

Shocking footage shows a young man being thrown dead on a level crossing when he tripped over the live railway tracks just before a train rumbled by.

The disturbing CCTV has been released by Network Rail as part of a warning to freshmen following the near miss in the heart of Lincoln’s city center.

The video shows a young man in black jeans and a gray hoodie, appearing drunk, ignoring the obvious alarms and climbing over the level crossing barriers to cross the railway line.

Just four seconds after clearing the two live tracks on Lincoln High Street, a heavy freight train speeds through its horn at about 160 km/h.

All the while, the man seems oblivious to the danger.

The footage was released as a “safety lesson on the track” for the latest crop of students entering Lincoln University.

With more than 200 trains passing through this busy level crossing every day, Network Rail said it is “of utmost importance” for both newcomers to the city and long-term residents to know how to use it safely.

Community Safety Manager for Network Rail, Elisha Allen, said: “The behavior is incredibly dangerous and very concerning.

The person involved recklessly risked his life to stumble forward a few feet.

“The level crossing on Lincoln High Street is a busy and active route over the railway and can pose a real hazard if not used correctly.

‘People need to be well aware of the dangers, pay attention to the indispensable alarms and remain vigilant when crossing the tracks, especially while intoxicated.

“We’ve been working with our partners in the rail industry to teach a hard lesson for new students at Lincoln University and help people understand how to stay safe around the track.”

British Transport Police (BTP), Network Rail and East Midlands Railways (EMR) have now joined forces to provide guidelines for students to stay safe on a night out.

They delivered an essential safety session for freshmen as part of the University of Lincoln’s “staying safe on a night out” week.

Students tried custom virtual reality headsets and discovered the best tips for using level crossing protection.

These tips are: it’s easy to get distracted, especially by phones, music, and conversations; stop, watch and listen, follow signs and instructors; check both ways before crossing; if a train is coming, don’t cross; understand the warnings (lights, barriers, alarms).

BTP Superintendent Rick Sweeney added: “The railway is not a place to take a shortcut.

“Getting somewhere a little faster isn’t worth the risk, and we’ve seen firsthand that it can lead to tragic consequences or life-changing injuries – both outcomes are avoidable.”

“There is simply no excuse for not following safety procedures at level crossings.

‘Trains travel at speeds of up to 200 km/h, are wider than the tracks they run on and are often quieter than expected.

“The public remains our eyes and ears, and they can help us by reporting any concerns or incidents directly to us by texting 61016 or calling 0800 40 50 40.”

Lucy Gallacher, emergency planning manager at East Midlands Railway, said: ‘These images are deeply disturbing.

‘The person concerned shows a reckless concern for his own life, but also for the safety of train passengers and railway staff.

“Ignoring warning signs and instructions at level crossings can have devastating consequences, especially while intoxicated and we hope these images are an important reminder that people should always follow the rules and remain vigilant when crossing the tracks.”