Shocking CCTV shows moped riders narrowly miss deadly smash with 70mph train in West Sussex
Hair-raising near miss at Toddington level crossing
Two moped riders barely escaped disaster after ignoring red lights and darting through barriers at Toddington crossing, West Sussex. The harrowing moment, caught on CCTV, happened on February 21 along a 70mph stretch of rail between Angmering and Ford/Littlehampton.
The Brighton to southampton/" title="Southampton" data-wpil-keyword-link="linked">Southampton train driver slammed on the emergency brakes to avoid smashing into the reckless pair, who illegally sped past safety barriers just seconds before the train thundered through.
Outrage over dangerous behaviour
The stunt caused delays for Southern passengers and sparked fury among officials. Lucy McAuliffe, Network Rail’s Sussex route director, said: “We came very close to having two deaths on our railway last week and a train driver living with the memories of that. We try to make our network as safe as possible but we do need people to work with us by paying attention to red lights and barriers.”
British Transport Police Inspector Emma Boulton slammed the riders’ actions as “some of the most stupidly reckless behaviour on a level crossing I have seen in my entire career.” She warned the near miss could have ended in fatal tragedy, urging everyone to respect level crossing safety devices.
‘Could have been a double death’ – safety chiefs react
Samantha Facey, Health, Safety & Security Director at Southern, added: “Today we could be talking about a double death with all the misery and heartache that would cause the bikers’ families and friends. No-one should have to be put through this trauma and none of our passengers should find themselves put at risk in this way.”
Know something? Authorities want to hear from you
The Toddington crossing uses automatic half-barriers that lower 27 seconds before a train arrives, with lights flashing and sirens sounding. The barriers cover half the road to prevent trapping vehicles on the tracks.
Authorities are probing the incident and urge anyone with information to contact the British Transport Police immediately.
