Trainspotter gets lucky escape

On a quiet morning at the rural station of Thurston in Suffolk, a crowd of railway enthusiasts and trainspotters gathered on the platform to see an old steam engine, the Oliver Cromwell, as it chugged through.

But one man was so caught up in the moment he failed to spot an intercity travelling at an estimated 70 miles per hour in the opposite direction.

Footage, posted on YouTube, shows the man standing filming the steam train when he is very nearly clipped by the high speed intercity as it rushes past.

The British Transport Police (BTP) have issued a safety message to railway enthusiasts and trainspotters following the incident.

BTP Inspector Ian Smart said: “The consequences of a human body impacting with a train travelling at this speed do not bear thinking about.

“Had this man been standing just a few inches closer to the track I am in no doubt that he would have either been killed or extremely badly injured.”

“We’re not out to spoil anyone’s fun or enjoyment of what is part of our national heritage, but it is absolutely vital that people do not take risks that endanger their lives or the lives of others.

“The last thing we want to see is someone paying the ultimate price just to get a close-up photo or video of a steam train.”