SOUTHPORT
12 February 2020
CELEBRATING
25 YEARS
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Vol 27 Issue 7
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INSIDE THIS WEEK:
BEYOND BELIEF! Cyclist was in such a hurry to get through a level crossing that she climbed over safety barriers with her bike, ignored flashing warning lights and narrowly avoided an oncoming speeding train
Lavender garden for Derek Teenage boy and girl are robbed at knifepoint by two masked thugs in Kings Gardens by Danielle Thompson
The woman lifts her bike over the barrier
A RECKLESS young cyclist was caught on camera crossing a busy railway line while the barriers were down and the warning lights flashing. The shocking images were captured by a concerned motorist at the Aughton Road level crossing in Birkdale. Footage showing the woman - bike in hand - clambering over the barriers as a train was approaching, was shared online to a Facebook page called ‘Crimewatch Southport’. It shows the impatient cyclist ignore all the warnings not to cross the line as a train was approaching. She lifts her bike over the safety barriers, climbs over the barriers herself, then casually walks over the crossing - lights still flashing - before she reaches the other side, lifts her bike and herself over the
...then climbs over the safety railings
Report by Danielle Thompson barriers once more and then rides off, seemingly oblivious to any danger. Moments later a train speeds past. Bellinda Telfer posted the tense 40 second video online following the incident last Wednesday (February 5) and it has since been commented on and ‘shared’ more than 200 times, as a ‘warning to parents’. Illegal The unknown cyclist was filmed by a waiting motorist on the opposite side of the crossing. The crossing is not near to a station, so she was at a stretch of track where trains reach their fastest
...crosses the railway lines
speeds. Bellinda said: “It’s a warning to parents, but please if anyone knows this young lady explain to her the dangers of crossing a line like this. “Hopefully we can explain to all of our children how dangerous this is.” A Network Rail spokesperson told the Champion: “Ignoring the warning lights, sirens or barriers at a level crossing is not only incredibly dangerous, it is also illegal. “You may be in a hurry. You may use a level crossing every day. You may even think you know when the train is coming. But if you take a chance you’re putting your life, and train passengers’ lives, at risk.” A spokesperson for British Transport Police added: “We ask anyone who witnesses such incidents to report it to us by texting 61016.”
... lifts the bike over the rails
DETECTIVES are appealing for information following a robbery at knifepoint in the Kings Gardens area of the town. The victims were a teenage boy and a teenage girl and both had their bikes stolen in the robbery. The shocking incident took place last Friday night, February 7, at around 8pm. Police say the young boy and girl were in Kings Gardens when they were approached by two males, one of whom was in possession of a knife. Demands were made for their bikes, and the girl was punched in the leg. The offenders then rode off on the bikes in the direction of Morrisons. Distressing Both offenders were described as wearing masks and worker or combat pants. The bikes stolen were a silver Boardman MHT 8.8 Eagle mountain bike with a distinctive mug guard, and a grey/orange Voodoo ‘Bantu’ mountain bike. Detectives are appealing for anyone who may have witnessed something in relation to the incident to come forward. CCTV footage is also being looked at.
... and completes the move!
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