Decisions at level crossings can be 'life-altering'

A woman who lost her leg after she was hit by a train has warned against "complacency" at level crossings as new CCTV footage has been released.

Lucy Ruck was 17 when she was hit by a train at Farnborough North railway station.

Thirty years later, Network Rail has released a video montage showing distracted rail users in near-miss situations in recent years.

"The consequences of a split-second decision can be life-altering," Ms Ruck said.

She added: "I wasn't being deliberately reckless or rushing but perhaps because I used the station every day, and knew it so well, I'd become a bit complacent.

"I went with everyone else without stopping to think for myself."

Ms Ruck has now campaigned for an accessible footbridge at the Hampshire station where she was injured.

New figures from Network rail show there were 1,574 near miss incidents involving pedestrians at level crossings, reported across the network over the last four years.

"No appointment or destination is worth risking your life for," Ms Ruck said.

"Always look carefully and never assume it's safe to cross. It's better to be late in this world, than early in the next."

Thomas Desmond, Operations Director at Network Rail, said: "Level crossings demand your full attention, yet complacency and distraction are putting lives at risk, contributing to hundreds of dangerous near misses annually.

"Whether it's glancing at a phone or simply assuming the track is clear, these lapses in concentration can be fatal. We urge everyone to stop, look, listen and obey the signals every single time. Waiting a few minutes is infinitely better than risking everything."

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