Teenager on railway line forced train to make emergency stop

A train was forced to make an emergency stop because a teenager was trespassing on a railway line in Inverness, Network Rail has revealed.

The youth only stepped clear of the tracks at South Kessock when the train was about 65ft (20m) away during the incident on 7 May.

Another youngster was also on the pedestrian crossing but moved out of the way when the train appeared.

Network Rail said it was the second dangerous trespassing incident on the same crossing in a week, as a group of five teenagers were spotted placing stones on the line on 30 April before returning to remove them.

While no trains were involved in the earlier incident, the firm said their behaviour was "extremely dangerous".

About 30 trains pass through the crossing each day at speeds of up to 50mph.

Rachel Shaw, head of operational safety at Network Rail, said: "Incidents like this are incredibly concerning.

"The railway is not a place to hang around with your friends. It's an operational environment with fast moving trains that can't swerve out the way or stop quickly."

She said the incidents had put the lives of the teenagers, passengers and railway staff at risk.

The incidents came just days after Network Rail and British Transport Police launched the No Second Chances campaign, which highlights the risks of trespassing on railways.