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POLICE ISSUE WARNING AFTER YOUTHS' ^NEAR-MISS^ AT LEVEL CROSSING ^ DUNBRIDGE, HAMPSHIRE

British Transport Police (BTP) officers are warning of the dangers of misusing level crossings after two youths narrowly avoided being struck by a train at a level crossing in Dunbridge last week.

Police were called at 11.15am on Wednesday, 2 June after a report that youths had crossed the tracks, just moments before a train went through the location, next to Mottisford & Dunbridge rail station.

Inspector Mick Morriss, based at Southampton BTP station on Blechynden Terrace, said: ^The driver of the 10.07am Romsey to Salisbury service was forced to apply the train^s emergency breaks after seeing two youths running across the tracks when the train was only yards away. Fortunately the train was just leaving Mottisford and Dunbridge station, and was travelling at a relatively low speed. Nonetheless, this was incredibly dangerous behaviour that could have had far worse consequences and I am urging anyone with any information to get in touch. BTP officers work closely with South West Trains, other train operating companies and Network Rail to educate people about the dangers of going near railway lines. We want everyone to enjoy their school holidays but remember that the railway tracks are not a playground because trains can^t swerve and they can^t stop suddenly.^