'Absolutely shocking' moment youths throw bike onto a train track at city station
Network Rail shared a CCTV clip of the incident in Leeds as a warning.
Watch: Youths throw bike onto a train track at busy station
This is the moment two youths tossed a bike onto a busy railway track line, posing a serious risk to passengers' lives.
CCTV footage captured the youths trying to obstruct the tracks at Cross Gates station in Leeds which could have potentially caused a derailment.
Network Rail shared the 57-second clip on social media as a warning, branding their actions as “absolutely shocking”.
The railway owner is now pleading with parents to help educate children on their potentially dangerous actions to help crack down on incidents at stations.
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In the footage, a boy can be seen cycling up to the tracks and leaving his white bicycle on the edge of the platform, seemingly obstructing the line.
A second boy, dressed in black and wearing a mask to cover his face, runs out and throws the bike completely onto the line.
It comes after it was revealed six of the 11 incidents at Cross Gates station had involved young people.
Vicki Beadle, Operations Risk Advisor for Network Rail said: “I was astounded to see this reckless, irresponsible behaviour so close to the tracks at Cross Gates station.
“The railway is no place for games, and it certainly isn’t a playground.
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“Seeing these young people put their lives at risk was a staggering reminder of our collective need to educate everybody about railway safety.
“I’d urge parents and carers to speak to their children about the devastating consequences of trespass, vandalism and antisocial behaviour.”
Sgt Rob Pile, British Transport Police, described the incident as “shocking” and encouraged parents to talk to their children about the dangers of the railway.
He added: "Apart from the obvious danger to themselves, placing items on the tracks can potentially cause a derailment and result in serious injury and potential loss of life to passengers and rail staff.
"We have increased patrols in the area in a bid to deter behaviour like this. Those responsible should know they will be caught and face prosecution.”