Trespass: a train driver's story

This video shows the real-life consequences trespassing has on train drivers.
As the holidays draw to a close, we’re urging people not to be complacent and to stay off the tracks by sharing Dave’s story about the effect a near-miss in Birmingham had on him.
He was left distressed when a woman stepped out in front of him to pick something up from the line at Adderley Park. Despite being pulled to safety by a friend, the woman then returned to the tracks to retrieve the item.
All drivers are offered support following such incidents, but Dave's words show that if you do decide to trespass, it's not just you who’s affected.
Together with Network Rail, we’re reminding people to take a #realitycheck this summer when it comes to trespass. It isn’t a game: they are real tracks and real trains, with real-life consequences.
In the last 10 years, almost 170 people have lost their lives trespassing on the railway. Almost half of those killed were under-25.
Most trespassers say taking a shortcut was their main motivation, followed by thrill-seeking. But walking along or messing around on the tracks can result in serious life-changing injuries or death.
We’re doing all we can to keep people safe by patrolling areas we know where trespass is likely to happen and stopping people from getting on to the railway, but you can do your bit too.
Find out how you can help here: www.btp.police.uk/realitycheck

[@justjack4030]

I dont even live in GB (Im in Australia) but thank you drivers for getting us from A to B. Your jobs are way too under appreciated

[@lifeisgood3386]

Pure respect for this driver

[@stephenholmes1036]

As an MOM recently retired the drivers go though the grinder. We deal with consequences of the actions of people

[@TheClarko1234]

you're not killing anyone mate...you are just driving the train

[@cintulator2]

Train just can't avoid. It is at least 200 meters to stop it with emergency brake.

[@xxitsmorgzxx5934]

TheClarko1234 there is still a feeling of guilt though, running people over is still killing then accidentally or non accidentally but he this driver doesn’t deserve that feeling of guilt

[@gtrotter07]

You're still killing them. When you look them in the eyes at the last moment. You're the last one to see them alive. It's easy to dismiss until you have lived it, then not so much.

[@darylkemp1257]

No your not killing them they are killing themselves out of either selfishness = people who decide to commit suicide on the railway and ruining the train drivers life in the process or those out of complete stupidity = tresspassing on the line playing on the line dodging crossing barriers etc etc its never the drivers fault he or she is just doing their job yes when it happens the driver will feel guilt thats human nature but its never their fault it takes almost 3 to 4 miles to safetly stop a train doing 125mph

[@ehehgabegabex8254]

Init

[@iamwhoiam8946]

As a rail enthusiast. A wishing to be driver at somepoint. I usually type long essays on these types of vids. I'll try shorten it to not bore you. A train can take more or less than 20 Premier league football pitches to get anywhere close to stopping using emergency brakes. Hitting someone as a driver can be quite a traumatic Experiance. It hits harder on some than others. It can lead to them quitting, taking a lot of time off or carrying on after a week. You going onto the tracks isn't just a safety hazard, it's an offence in the UK. When your on the tracks with no permission you are putting yourself, others and family at danger. You can cause traumatic feelings a cross the network. Most of all it can cause a lot of pile ups on services running. So now workers and other have to deal with hearing that your have broken law/been killed on the railway, take on that traumatic feeling, take on angry costumers screaming because their service is delayed/canceled and the emergency service along with network rail have to make an investigation which includes having to pick up your dead body that is probably split into 4 or more parts. It's a horrible thing. The two simple things to say, 3 words long are DON'T DO IT or NOT WORTH IT. It will make everyone's life better.

[@iamwhoiam8946]

I still made a small essay. Never works does it.

[@ericross5048]

@@iamwhoiam8946 the people who would read your comment are the people that already know.

[@ericross5048]

That kind of thing makes me very sad to see.

[@teddyok]

Respect to the driver. After that incident I’d be fuming if I was the driver

[@Apollo-yh9sy]

You probs be scard for life

[@dillonanthonywynroberts3990]

did i just see a 2 carridge virgin train that's one rare sight

[@HSTHoward]

Rest of the train was cut out.

[@coolsadface3444]

@@HSTHoward Holy whata hes driving extremley rare train shocked

[@KQuinn672]

Sir..YOU did NOT kill anyone! You are just an unfortunate witness!

[@anthonyparreno647]

stay strong

[@steuk6510]

It takes time for a heavy train to stop.

[@iamwhoiam8946]

Up to (if not more) 20 Premier league football pitches in emergency to stop.

[@R9naldo]

@@iamwhoiam8946 exactly and people think trains will stop in a second

[@TheArkamedBat]

Freight train with 30 containers at 75 MPH take about 30-32 Football pitches for emergency stop

[@thebritishempire8754]

Essentially, if the driver sees you, it is too late (so long as you dont move).

[@stephenholmes1036]

A train travelling at 125 miles per hour needs 1 and quarter miles to stop.

[@SynchroScore]

Here in the States, most railways have support groups for employees who have run somebody down. There are some who are so shaken, they can't get back to work, so haunted are they by watching somebody die right in front of them.

[@cintulator2]

My friend is becoming a traindriver. Elk & owl. Next step a suicide. You just can't prevent them. It is never, ever the traindriver's fault.

[@wildboar3170]

Good man

[@kellyashfordtrains2642]

Maybe not, but remember that he has responsibility to keep his passengers safe. If a trespasser winds up dead under his wheels, it's a lot on his plate that he shouldn't have to be responsible for. That girl was lucky to escape death. If she does anything like that again, she really will get herself killed. Remember this advice, TheCK1234, be safe and do what's right. Don't end up losing your life like that idiotic girl nearly did. Do you want to see someone you love get killed by an oncoming train?

[@DracoSwordMaster]

In the city I live in, there is a long stretch of railroads tracks 3.5km long. The only way to cross those tracks is to drive down a highway that goes under them. The problem with this is that this is literally the only way to cross those tracks. It is illegal to walk to ride a bike on that highway, and as a result, every cyclist and pedestrian that needs to get around that part of the city is forced to break the law: either illegally go on the highway or illegally trespass across the tracks. I choose to trespass. Cars, with inexperienced or distracted drivers, are much more of a threat to me on my bicycle than a predictable train. Drivers can be unexpected. They might suddenly swerve all over the road or be looking down at their phone and plow right into me. Trains on the other hand travel in a straight line and never deviate from that. As long as I'm not stupid and cross the tracks when a train is coming, I'm in a much safer position to trespass across the tracks. It's really frustrating that the city is designed this way, because if I had any other choice, I would never cross train tracks illegally.

[@listeed1995]

Was going to make a comment about how lucky she was due to light locos being limited to 75mph rather than the usual 125… then realised there was just some sneaky editing in.

[@jameswalker8704]

Hello, I am wondering if this video is copyrighted as I would like to use it at college as part of our PowerPoint to spread awareness of Keeping off the tracks?

[@MarineAqua45]

ILIKETRAINS I think you’ll have to contact British Transport Police HQ & ask them if you can use it as I think they own the copyrights to it, as they made this video?

[@TheArkamedBat]

I think BTP hates giving permission to re-upload. Bruh

[@danielferstendig]

sir topham hat would not be happy

[@mediumleftmediumleft5052]

i really shouldnt laugh but..

[@Oblivion-wo3do]

10 points for each

[@jasont6287]

my god local to me west mids and hes fortunate or is he as of then he hadnt seen a rail suicide

[@johnthomsen8802]

We have the same issues across the pond. I wonder if there should be a world rail safety week. We have it here in the states. Amazing how many people ignore rail safety. Engineers feel the same way here. I hope this gentleman is ok. Do you have train hoppers in the UK as well? It's a problem here.

[@seraphina985]

Not really but then unlike the US the UK has very few active in service lines without passenger services and basically none travelling through populated urban areas, this being because like most European countries transit is a little less of an afterthought. Doesn't stop the freeloader mentality of course but it means the issue in the UK and Europe in general is more one of fare dodgers trying to illegally bypass ticket checks etc to board passenger trains illegally without a valid ticket. Probably significantly less dangerous that way although it does obviously add a non trivial premium to the costs paid by honest fare paying passengers to cover the freeloaders.

[@ozbolli]

This is a disgrace. The culprit should have been jailed for life.

[@robnewman6101]

Useful British Transport Police.

[@rapidracer6722]

Was driving a Pendolino

[@TheArkamedBat]

2 car Pendo. WTH?

[@urmumsipad]

I know right

[@LDMTheTrainspotter]

I like trains a lot but if I was the driver of that train and I had hit the emergency breaks it would take me several football pitches to come to a complete stop I would be very upset if I had killed someone and I would think its my fault even though it is never a train drivers fault if I hit someone on the line just remember no matter what happens its never the drivers fault and its always the tresspassers fault

[@dereksingh8883]

Does the driver go to the pub after work?

[@stephenholmes1036]

No

[@TheDankEngineer]

HH GREGGGG

[@brucewilliams2267]

I suggest you get off the footplate mate

[@883mondo]

Prick, you have no idea

[@RyansArachnids]

@@883mondo i don't think he was trying to be mean, if he stepped back he could calm himself before getting back to the footplate

[@pauljordan4452]

He said he was going to retire in six years.