Children spotted playing on rail lines near Darlington

Timetabled trains were delayed while police were called to investigate the incident at two reported incidents on Saturday (July 20) and Sunday (July 21).

TransPennine Express were the first to report that children were playing on the track at Darlington on Saturday, resulting in delayed journeys for passengers.

While all train lines have reopened and services are running normally, the train operator is reminding children of the dangers and has warned parents to know where their child is.

On their website, TransPennine Express said: "Due to children playing on the track at Darlington, services are temporarily suspended. Police are onsite attempting to resolve the issue.

"Parents, please remind your children that railway tracks are not a playground."

This incident comes after shocking footage was released last year showing a train narrowly missing two children on the track near Stockton. 

One clip shows two children playing right at the edge of a crossing as a train goes past.

❓ Why don’t officers go on the tracks when they are still live?

🗣️ The railway has many hidden dangers, from high voltage of electricity to trains running at up to 125mph to track points suddenly moving 💨

We’ll only ever go on or near the line when it’s safe to do so 👷‍♂️🚧

— BTP Tyne & Wear (@BTPTyneWear) May 25, 2024

In the video, one child is seen lying at the edge of the crossing with his head inches away from the tracks.

The video, taken at the Shearwater Lane crossing at Crooksbarn, Stockton has provoked a warning to parents to ensure children know the dangers of the railway.

At the time, a Network Rail spokesperson said: “The railway is not a playground and it is deeply concerning to see people taking serious risks to their own and other people's safety.

"Trespassing incidents on the railway are dangerous for everyone who uses the system since they can result in serious injuries or, in the worst instance, fatalities."

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Chris Smith, officer for the British Transport Police, added: "Trespass incidents of this nature cause a serious risk to life as trains cannot stop as quickly as cars.

"The dangers those witnessed are willing to put themselves in for a “shortcut” or to behave in an anti-social manner is unfathomable. 

"Those witnessed throwing stones to the dual carriageway below again is inherently dangerous and may result in severe damage to cars and serious or fatal injuries to drivers and passengers of many different vehicles."