Trespassers force train to make emergency stop in Craven Arms
British Transport Police has released CCTV images after two young men forced a train to make an emergency stop at Craven Arms railway station last month.
Investigating officer PC Dave Hall said: "I am shocked and saddened to see that, despite our constant warnings, some people are still willing to risk their lives by trespassing on the tracks.
“This was absolutely senseless behaviour and I cannot overstate just how dangerous it is.
“Train drivers will not be expecting anyone other than railway workers to be on the line, and by the time they see someone trespassing, it could be too late.”
The incident took place at 5.05pm on Saturday, 20 September. Both of the people involved were seen to repeatedly walk across the railway, crossing from one platform to the other, before one of them ran in front of a high speed train which was passing through the station. The driver of the train was forced to apply its emergency brakes as a result of the incident. A search of the area was carried out but no one was found.
“It is pure luck that, on this occasion, no one was injured, but the scenario could so easily have been different,” said PC Hall.
“The actions of these two individuals were foolish in the extreme. Not only did they delay the train, with the driver – for whom this would have been a distressing incident - forced to take evasive action, they also took an enormous risk by jumping onto the tracks, putting themselves in incredible danger.
“Our main concern with incidents such as this is clearly for the safety of those carrying out such dangerous acts. However, trespass is also a serious crime and we will continue to do everything in our power to prosecute anyone caught deliberately obstructing the railway or trespassing on the tracks and endangering people’s safety, with the maximum penalty being life imprisonment.
“I am now asking for the public’s help to identify the two people captured in the CCTV images and would urge anyone who has any information in relation to this incident to come forward.”
Anyone with information should contact British Transport Police on 0800 40 50 40 or text 61016 quoting background reference WSUB/B5 of 29/10/2014. Information can also be passed to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
