Picture: British Transport Police

A man escaped death by inches after forcing his way through a closed train level crossing barrier.

He squeezed through the gates and ambles across the train tracks.

Only at the last moment he realises a high-speed train is bearing down on him.

He skips out of the way as the train thunders by, before causally waiting for the barrier to lift and walking off.

The incident happened at Brimsdown in Enfield, North London.

British Transport Police officers are investigating.

Inspector Stephen Webster said:

“This was a completely needless incident, and one that requires our attention and an investigation at a time when officers could be supporting the latest guidance around Covid-19, and helping to keep the travelling public safe.

“The warning signs, barriers and flashing lights are all there for a reason.

“Some trains travel at high speed, and one that you think is in the distance could be bearing down on you in seconds.

“This incident could have very easily gone the other way, as it has in the past, and this man may not have returned home to his loved ones.

“Don’t ignore the small wait it takes for a train to pass, don’t risk your life.”

Rebecca Crocker, Network Rail’s community safety manager for Anglia, added:

“This was reckless behaviour in which this person could easily have lost their life.

“Just a trip or fall and this could have ended very differently.

“It really isn’t worth taking a risk like this in order to save a few minutes.”