Olympian supports campaign to stop train deaths in the Thames Valley

The 400 metres hurdles world champion and Olympic hopeful features in the new online video, which shows people risking their lives by taking short cuts across railway lines and crossings.
New statistics released by Network Rail show that 17 people were involved in a near miss with a train after trespassing on the railway in the Thames Valley in 2011/12.
Nationally, there were 445 recorded near misses between trespassers and trains in the last year.
A total of 88 per cent of accidental trespass fatalities in the last ten years were male with over a third aged 18-25, and the new campaign video shows Dai trying to run across railway tracks.
“Day in day out, I train hard to make sure I am as quick as I can be. On the running track it’s important that my reactions are lightning fast but on the train track that didn’t count for much. The experience has brought to life just how many dangers there are on the rail tracks – most of which I knew nothing about. I hope that this film really helps Network Rail to show people that taking the risk is never worth it,” Dai added.
Network Rail's route managing director, Patrick Hallgate said: “We know a lot of young men think, that taking a shortcut isn’t really a risk, that they can get out of the way of any train but the fatality figures show they are wrong. Dai is one of the most fit and agile athletes in the world, someone that we know young men admire, particularly with the 2012 Games so close. His message and ours is simple - if he can’t survive the shortcut, you won’t either - shortcuts cut short lives.”
The video can be viewed on the campaign’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/TrackTests