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Top Gear to screen train stunt | Top Gear to screen train stunt |
(about 5 hours later) | |
A stunt involving a staged train accident at a level crossing will still be broadcast despite the Cumbrian crash, the BBC has said. | A stunt involving a staged train accident at a level crossing will still be broadcast despite the Cumbrian crash, the BBC has said. |
The dramatic incident was created by rail operator Network Rail for the Top Gear programme. | The dramatic incident was created by rail operator Network Rail for the Top Gear programme. |
It is part of a £3m campaign by the company to increase safety awareness at level crossings. | It is part of a £3m campaign by the company to increase safety awareness at level crossings. |
The BBC had considered pulling the item from Sunday night's episode, but now says it will be shown. | The BBC had considered pulling the item from Sunday night's episode, but now says it will be shown. |
A spokeswoman for the BBC said: "We are going ahead as planned with tonight's programme which includes an item on the dangers at level crossings. | A spokeswoman for the BBC said: "We are going ahead as planned with tonight's programme which includes an item on the dangers at level crossings. |
"There will be an announcement before the programme to alert viewers that there is an item about railway safety." | "There will be an announcement before the programme to alert viewers that there is an item about railway safety." |
'Don't run the risk' | 'Don't run the risk' |
The "accident" features a locomotive hitting a people carrier at 70mph on a line in rural Lincolnshire. | |
It is the first staged accident to be held in over a decade. | It is the first staged accident to be held in over a decade. |
Network Rail organised it as part of their Don't Run The Risk campaign, said to be the most extensive public safety programme ever run by the rail industry. | Network Rail organised it as part of their Don't Run The Risk campaign, said to be the most extensive public safety programme ever run by the rail industry. |
Carol Bell, vice-chair of the Safe Trains Action Group said: "I'm not sure it's a good idea. I do understand the programme itself has been through something like this with Richard Hammond. | Carol Bell, vice-chair of the Safe Trains Action Group said: "I'm not sure it's a good idea. I do understand the programme itself has been through something like this with Richard Hammond. |
"But there's a poor woman who's lost her life, and her family is still injured. I just think it's a bit insensitive at the moment" | "But there's a poor woman who's lost her life, and her family is still injured. I just think it's a bit insensitive at the moment" |
And Anthony Smith, chief executive of the rail watchdog Passenger Focus, added: "We need to raise awareness of the issue, but now is not the right time." | And Anthony Smith, chief executive of the rail watchdog Passenger Focus, added: "We need to raise awareness of the issue, but now is not the right time." |
'Hot spots' | 'Hot spots' |
There are 7,674 level crossings in the UK and 96% of accidents there are caused by misuse, with drivers ignoring red signals, barriers and klaxons. | There are 7,674 level crossings in the UK and 96% of accidents there are caused by misuse, with drivers ignoring red signals, barriers and klaxons. |
Level crossing incidents 73% of people killed at crossings are men67% of victims are aged 31 or overMisuse peaks in summer months and in daylight hours during rush hour | Level crossing incidents 73% of people killed at crossings are men67% of victims are aged 31 or overMisuse peaks in summer months and in daylight hours during rush hour |
Deaths at level crossings in the UK are low compared with world standards, but Network Rail says misuse is the single biggest risk on the rail network. | Deaths at level crossings in the UK are low compared with world standards, but Network Rail says misuse is the single biggest risk on the rail network. |
It has put up roadside posters close to high risk "hot spots" and has run adverts in newspapers, on radio and television and in cinemas. | It has put up roadside posters close to high risk "hot spots" and has run adverts in newspapers, on radio and television and in cinemas. |
In 2004, seven people died when a high-speed London to Plymouth train hit a car parked on a level crossing at Ufton Nervet in Berkshire. | In 2004, seven people died when a high-speed London to Plymouth train hit a car parked on a level crossing at Ufton Nervet in Berkshire. |
And on Sunday, a train and a car collided at a level crossing near Whitland in Carmarthenshire. | And on Sunday, a train and a car collided at a level crossing near Whitland in Carmarthenshire. |
No-one was hurt and accident investigators are trying to establish what happened. | No-one was hurt and accident investigators are trying to establish what happened. |