Media centre

Tuesday 26 Jul 2011

SAFETY SURVEY: MYTHS MEAN NORTH WEST PARENTS COULD PUT CHILDREN AT RISK

Region & Route:

- New parents’ survey reveals majority don’t teach their children about keeping safe near the railway and do not understand the dangers of electricity

- “I’m still suffering": Young Tamworth man seriously burnt after electric shock when aged 12 warns others not to make his horrific mistake

- New shock video released to warn of dangers

Network Rail has released a hard-hitting video about the severe consequences of trespassing or messing about near the railway as a new survey reveals 62% of parents in the North West have not discussed railway safety with their children. Furthermore:

• 83% of mums and dads in the region think the overhead power lines and third rail only have electricity running through them when trains are passing through
• 91% think touching the overhead power lines will kill you but the third rail will not
• 58% didn’t realise you don’t have to touch the overhead power lines to get a shock

As the summer holidays begin, Network Rail has launched the powerful video to specifically highlight the dangers of electricity. Nationally, 69 people have been electrocuted in the last ten years after coming into contact with the overhead wires or the ‘third rail’. A further 72 people have suffered injuries or trauma. Of the total, 23 were children aged 15 or under.

The video features a skin biology specialist and a Network Rail electrical engineer, sending a stark message about the power of the current used to run trains and the consequences of coming into contact with it. Mixed with graphic images of people who have suffered burns, the experts talk about how the power used in overhead wires is ten-times more powerful than an electric chair, and recount stories of people who have had their clothes set alight and the coins in their pockets melt.

Nathan Wood from Tamworth in Staffordshire was just 12 when a game he was playing with his cousin involving throwing a discarded domestic electrical wire over the side of a railway bridge resulted in him receiving a severe electric shock from the overhead wires. Now 25 and still suffering from the burns received, he gives his stark warning to others who may not realise the risks: “The first thing I remember after it happened was coming round and taking a huge deep breath. Noises were slowly getting louder and louder but I couldn’t get up. When the ambulance took me to hospital, I was screaming with the pain as they had to cut off my clothes which had stuck to me. It was like hell and I thought my life was over.

“I’m still suffering now, the cold really affects me and I get a lot of pain in my foot and can’t wear regular lace-up trainers. I also have to be careful in the sun as the scarring makes me more at risk to skin cancer. I want to warn kids that if you want to be someone, achieve something in your life, don’t do something stupid like I did, as it will change your life forever.”

Dyan Crowther, Network Rail’s director of operational services, said: “Thankfully the number of people killed or hurt on the railways is coming down but every death or injury is preventable. As our video shows, receiving an electric shock is horrific and could affect you for the rest of your life, if you’re lucky not to be killed.

“Our community safety teams work tirelessly with young people across Britain to warn them of the dangers and encourage them to get involved in safer and more positive activities. However, we are concerned that many parents are very much in the dark about the dangers of trespassing or playing near the railway. Even though the majority of trespassers aren’t hurt, these crimes are not harmless and can result in huge delays and costs. We hope that by getting out this stark warning we can help banish the myths about rail safety and ultimately save lives.”

British Transport Police Superintendent Eddie Wylie said: “During the summer holidays we unfortunately see an increase in offences on the rail network. So we are hoping that by targeting hotspot areas, and through the education work we have already done, we will reduce the number of incidents and deter youngsters from seeing the railway as a place to hang out or play.

"The railway is such as dangerous environment, trains cannot stop quickly or swerve, and are often not seen or heard until it is too late. I cannot emphasise strongly enough the dangers associated with this type of crime. One of the worst jobs a police officer has to do is break it to a parent that their child has been seriously injured, disfigured for life or killed; and it's so unnecessary. A little thought by parents and carers will save us having to make that painful visit."

“I am appealing to parents and adults to emphasise the dangers to your children this school holiday, and if you live near the railway, ask yourself if you know where your children are playing.”

Gary Cooper, Head of Operations at the Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC), said: “People playing on or near railways not only put themselves in serious danger of injury, they also cause disruption affecting thousands of passengers trying to go to work, visit friends or travelling for their business.

“We don’t want people hurt and we know how important running trains on time is to our customers. This is why train companies are working with the rest of the industry to keep people safe and to make sure record numbers of trains arrive on time.”