Media centre

Thursday 14 Jan 2021

Network Rail slams reckless TikTok of live railway photoshoot

Region & Route:

North West & Central

| North West & Central: North West

Network Rail today condemned a video posted on social media platform TikTok showing a car being photographed on a live railway crossing.

The shocking footage reported to Network Rail after it was shared on social media shows a car parked in the middle of the tracks at The Oaks level crossing, at Bromley Cross in Bolton, along with a tripod set up on the railway to take pictures.

The TikTok user’s video appears to brag about the dangerous position they have put themselves in by captioning the footage with the question “Would you take the risk to take the photograph no one else would?”.

The footage is now being investigated by the British Transport Police.

Phil James, Network Rail’s North West route director, said: “The danger this person has put themselves and passengers in is sheer stupidity at a staggering level. Trespassing on the railway is a crime, as is endangering the lives of rail users.

“No one should ever trespass onto the railway – so for it to be used as a backdrop for a photo shoot beggars belief. Lives could so easily have been lost by this reckless behaviour and we will be working closely with British Transport Police to make sure the person responsible for the video is brought to justice.”

Inspector Becky Warren from British Transport Police, said: “There is simply no excuse for not following safety procedures at level crossings. The behaviour shown by the individuals in this video is incredibly dangerous and reckless – no picture or video is worth risking your life for. 

“We have seen first-hand what the consequences are of deliberately misusing level crossings, and we remind anyone using them to be responsible when doing so.

“Education on using level crossings is essential, which is why we continue to work closely with Network Rail on improving knowledge on the dangers of deliberately misusing them. However, we will also prosecute anyone caught committing any offences on or near level crossings in the hope this will make them think twice in future."

Trespass on the railway is a criminal offence with up to a £1000 fine. Train obstruction is punishable by up to two years in prison.

Anyone with further information is asked to contact British Transport Police by texting 61016 or calling 0800 40 50 40 quoting ref 122 of 14/01/21.