A woman and young child were caught on camera ducking under a level crossing barrier as it closed at Tutbury and Hatton Station in Derbyshire. The incident, which occurred at 3.22pm on Saturday, April 25, was captured by trainspotter Brandon Roberts, who expressed his 'disbelief' at the behaviour.
Footage shows the woman, wearing sunglasses and smiling, leading a young boy in a cap across the tracks just as the barriers began to descend. They appeared to follow a man in a brown shirt who had run across ahead of them. The video was posted on Facebook, attracting dozens of critical comments.
Network Rail issued a warning following the incident, with a spokesperson stating: 'This kind of behaviour is deeply concerning and could have had tragic consequences. Level crossing barriers and warning lights are there for good reason. Ignoring them not only endangers those taking this action, but also puts train passengers, railway staff and other members of the public at risk too.'
The warning coincides with Network Rail's 'No Second Chances' campaign, which highlights the dangers at level crossings. Research indicates that while 84% of people claim to understand the risks, 97% are unaware that a train travelling at 80mph can take a mile to stop. On the East Coast Main Line, where trains can exceed 100mph, 121 near misses involving pedestrians were recorded in the last five years, including 27 in the year up to March 2026.
Public reaction on social media was critical, with one user commenting: 'If they had tripped on the rail lines, they would both be dead.' Another noted: 'You just have to sit at it, not risk being knocked out by the barrier!' Network Rail emphasised that 'one poor decision can change lives forever.'
