BRITISH Transport Police (BTP) officers are warning children of the dangers of playing on the railway following a near miss close to Eastbrook station.

Details of an incident on a foot crossing on Friday, July 17 at around 2.20pm have just emerged.

PC David Miles said: “The driver of a freight train spotted four teenage boys on the crossing as he approached the station.

“He sounded his horn repeatedly, but they ignored his warnings, and in fact, two of them moved onto the lines, dancing in front of the oncoming train in an apparent game of chicken.”

The two youths dived out of the way of the train at the last moment, but the driver believed he had hit them.

PC Miles said: “The driver was understandably shaken up. He did everything he could to alert the youths, but endured a worrying time afterwards thinking he had hit them.

“These children might have thought their actions were a harmless game, but they endangered their lives by playing on the line.

“I cannot stress highly enough what a hazardous environment the railway is.

“I would urge parents to ensure they talk to their children about the danger, particularly in the school holidays when we see incidents like this more frequently.”

Officers have been conducting enquiries locally to establish the identity of the children involved in this incident.

Anyone with information is asked to contact British Transport Police on 0800 40 50 40, or text 61016, quoting reference WSUB/B7 of 04/08/2015. Information can also be passed anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.