This is the shocking moment two women were caught lifting young children and even a PRAM over the barriers at a level crossing as a train approached.
The dramatic footage released by transport police first shows a man jogging across the train tracks as the barriers are coming down.
His friend can then be seen sprinting across the railway before leaping over the gates which have been fully lowered to the down position.
Incredibly, CCTV then captured the moment two women were seen casually walking along the tracks after coming from a nearby platform.
The reckless parents can be seen lifting two children and a pram over the barriers and clambering over themselves before the train passed by.
Today (Fri), British Transport Police (BTP) released the 58-second video of the incident which took place earlier this year in Feltham, West London.
Officers have been unable to track the people in the footage which they have described as “frightening” and “worrying”.
BTP, which is responsible for policing more than 6,000 level crossings across Britain, and National Rail are appealing to the public to keep safe.
Inspector Becky Warren, from British Transport Police, said: “The footage from this level crossing in West London is truly frightening.
“There simply is no excuse to be walking on the tracks and jumping over the barriers.
“Thankfully neither the man, the women nor their children were injured.
“But this could have had fatal consequences.
“I’ve seen first-hand the consequences of taking a shortcut over a level crossing and the heartbreak and suffering that families and loved ones are left with.”
Becky Lumlock, route managing director at Network Rail, added: “If any of these people had come into contact with the live rails, they could easily have been killed, not to mention the risk of being hit by a train when level crossing barriers are down.
“The safety of passengers is my number one priority, so I’d like to urge everyone to stay safe around the railway, and if you see anyone behaving dangerously, please report it to the police immediately.”
Earlier this week, BTP and Network Rail launched a new campaign which revealed a sharp rise in alcohol related incidents across the rail network in December.
Inspector Warren added: “Although we are not certain alcohol played a part in these particular incidents, it stills highlights the extraordinary risks people are willing to take to save a bit of time.
“As the festive season fast approaches, I would urge pedestrians and motorists to pay extra attention at level crossings.”