TikTok Level Crossing 'Dare'

[Deepgreen]

Haven't seen a thread on this anywhere. Story from BBC News. I hope the police also charge the perpetrators for their illegal car plates (displayed as D666AN B) as well as everything else!

TikTok level crossing stunt 'staggeringly stupid'

Police and rail bosses condemn a social media post featuring a car parked on a level crossing.

www.bbc.co.uk

A TikTok stunt featuring a car parked on a level crossing has been branded "staggeringly stupid".
The "reckless" social media post, recorded on the line at Bromley Cross, Bolton, showed a camera and tripod set up on the railway to record the scene.
An accompanying caption asked viewers: "Would you take the risk to get the shot no-one else would?"
Insp Becky Warren, from British Transport Police, said: "No picture or video is worth risking your life for."
Network Rail, which reported the footage after it appeared on the video-sharing app, blasted the "staggeringly stupid and dangerous" clip.
It issued a reminder that trespassing on railway lines is against the law.

 

[tomwills98]

They're never smart enough. they'll film stupid stuff like this, but not blank their plates.

 

[JohnMcL7]

They're never smart enough. they'll film stupid stuff like this, but not blank their plates.

I was going to say that's probably a second set of plates they've used for taking the photos but that looks like the genuine number plate and the car even failed an MOT in 2019 for incorrect spacing. I guess if you're stupid enough to park a car on a level crossing to take a picture then you're not going to be smart enough to make any effort to hide the details. I guess they were just out for attention which they've definitely received but it's not even like it's a great looking photo, while that wouldn't justify the danger at least there would be more of a reason for it.

Edit - Actually seeing the original post it wouldn't matter if the numberplate was hidden the driver's name is present as is the photographer so it won't take much effort to track them down

 

[66701GBRF]

I hope the police also charge the perpetrators for their illegal car plates (displayed as D666AN B)

Grey area....looks like they are on an occupation crossing so could be deemed not public highway. Highways also tend to stop at the railway boundary so technically could be argued they are on private property and they could say the plates are show plates.
obviously doesn’t make any of it ok.

 

[Peter C]

I saw this on Twitter yesterday and my main thought was 'how amazingly stupid'. That's all I can say really!

-Peter

 

[miami]

Where is the crossing? (specifically, I know it's Bolton)

Is it the one up by the Wayoh resovoir?

 

[175001]

It's between Bromley Cross and Hall ith Wood.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

Darwin Award time almost?

 

[Ianno87]

It's between Bromley Cross and Hall ith Wood.

Correct, The Oaks Level Crossing.

 

[Gloster]

Darwin Award time almost?

Almost a Darwen Award?

 

[Stigy]

Hopefully charged with Endangering Safety on the Railway and not just Trespass, although Trespass is still a recordable offence so could affect them in the future.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

Almost a Darwin Award?

Darwin Awards - Wikipedia Well to qualify they would have to take themselves out of the gene pool. Looks like they are still in it - hence "Almost a Darwin award"

 

[Gloster]

Darwin Awards - Wikipedia Well to qualify they would have to take themselves out of the gene pool. Looks like they are still in it - hence "Almost a Darwin award"

Sorry, I was referring to the town a few miles north of the level-crossing.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

Sorry, I was referring to the town a few miles north of the level-crossing.

Darwen Lancs postcode BB3 - I used to work at Crown Paints in Darwen. No need to apologize by the way.

My mind is still blown by the stupidity though. What upsets me is that it gives all rail enthusiasts a bad name.

 

[JohnMcL7]

Darwen Lancs postcode BB3 - I used to work at Crown Paints in Darwen. No need to apologize by the way.

My mind is still blown by the stupidity though. What upsets me is that it gives all rail enthusiasts a bad name.

If they were trespassing to get a good shot of a train then I'd agree but I don't think they come across as rail enthusiasts.

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

I’m shocked and dismayed to see that anyone could be so careless. I suppose they did not stop to think that not only were they putting themselves in serious danger, but also the people on the next train through. It’s genuinely appalling.

 

[Steddenm]

There was a (now-deleted) Twitter post from the guy who made the video saying that the clip was filmed a few years ago and that the section of the line was closed on the day due to engineering work.

 

[gimmea50anyday]

There was a (now-deleted) Twitter post from the guy who made the video saying that the clip was filmed a few years ago and that the section of the line was closed on the day due to engineering work.

Ah, well in which case that makes it perfectly acceptable then!

 

[Ianno87]

There was a (now-deleted) Twitter post from the guy who made the video saying that the clip was filmed a few years ago and that the section of the line was closed on the day due to engineering work.

"Closed" of course means that engineering trains still run...

 

[miami]

Google street view shows it as a crossing with manual gates and signs saying to phone before crossing. Also says there's CCTV covering it and offenders will be prosecuted.

Seems this didn't come to light until it went viral.

 

[vectra33]

Google street view shows it as a crossing with manual gates and signs saying to phone before crossing. Also says there's CCTV covering it and offenders will be prosecuted.

Seems this didn't come to light until it went viral.

This site is local to me, there are manual gates and there is a single cctv camera on a very tall post to the right of the camera tripod.

 

[Colin1501]

Google street view shows it as a crossing with manual gates and signs saying to phone before crossing. Also says there's CCTV covering it and offenders will be prosecuted.

Seems this didn't come to light until it went viral.

Where are the gates worked from? Is there an adjacent signal box or crossing keeper's hut?

 

[JN114]

Where are the gates worked from? Is there an adjacent signal box or crossing keeper's hut?

The gates are worked by whomever wants to cross.

 

[Colin1501]

The gates are worked by whomever wants to cross.

Thanks - so presumably an occupation or similar crossing, and not on a public road? Not that that makes it any better - probably worse in fact. At least if it was worked by a signaller or crossing keeper, there'd be someone to check the crossing was clear before clearing any protecting signals.

 

[Rail Ranger]

It's the occupation crossing at The Oaks, a closed station between Hall i'th' Wood and Bromley Cross.

 

[miami]

Thanks - so presumably an occupation or similar crossing, and not on a public road? Not that that makes it any better - probably worse in fact. At least if it was worked by a signaller or crossing keeper, there'd be someone to check the crossing was clear before clearing any protecting signals.

In theory they could have phoned to say they were crossing with a vehicle, and not phoned to say it was clear. If the CCTV was working then presumably the signallers would have looked before clearing the signal?

 

[Islineclear3_1]

In theory they could have phoned to say they were crossing with a vehicle, and not phoned to say it was clear. If the CCTV was working then presumably the signallers would have looked before clearing the signal?

Being an occupational crossing, it is unlikely to be protected by signals.

 

[miami]

In a situation where you're crossing with cows, you phone to get the OK, but then a cow keels over halfway across, or bolts off up the track, what happens?

 

[Islineclear3_1]

In a situation where you're crossing with cows, you phone to get the OK, but then a cow keels over halfway across, or bolts off up the track, what happens?

Yes you phone the signaller and get permission for your cows to cross. But if one keels over or bolts off up the track you phone the signaller again so that he can take the necessary steps to stop the trains

But we are drifting OT and that isn't wasn't happened here

 

[miami]

It seems that there's not much point in putting CCTV if nobody watches it. Would there be an RAIB investigation?