Network Rail has released a video to encourage people to be cautious around railway lines, featuring an actor impersonating 11-year-old victim Harrison Ballantyne, who was electrocuted by overhead power cables after straying into a rail freight depot to find a lost football.
The video is part of Network Rail’s You vs Train campaign, with the intention of educating the public about the dangers of the railway network and to deter trespassing.
According to the railway provider, trespassing is a huge problem on the railway, with thousands of incidents being recorded every year. Data indicates that there were 19,408 trespass incidents on the British rail network during the most recent financial year (2021 to 22), which is reportedly the highest number recorded for five years.
Of these figures, a quarter of all incidents involved people under the age of 18, Network Rail has said.
Robert Wainwright, head of public safety at Network Rail, said: “Harrison’s Story is a tragic reminder of why it is vitally important that we all know about rail safety and the devastating potential impact that trespass can have, not only on the trespasser – who risks serious life-changing, if not fatal injury – but also on their friends and family, and the wider community.
“The railway is full of danger, both obvious and hidden, and that danger is ever present as the electricity on the railway is always turned on.
“I urge people to watch this film, understand the risks, make the right decisions and stay away from the railway lines.
“Help us to keep you and your loved ones safe.”
