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Children near Upminster in London have been engaging in dangerous behaviors such as doing handstands and playing "chicken" with trains at Brickfields level crossing, leading Network Rail to close it indefinitely until safety education reaches all local schools. Approximately 230 trains use this railway line daily, posing significant risks to the children's safety. The decision comes after an incident where a 11-year-old boy was killed while using his smartphone near another high-risk crossing in south London earlier in 2025.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-10-12,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
Children and teenagers in Upminster, London, have been engaging in dangerous behavior at Brickfields level crossing by doing handstands, playing "chicken" with oncoming trains, and racing across the tracks. This has led to the closure of the busy crossing since September 30th for an initial period of 21 days; however, it will remain closed until all year groups at local schools receive education about rail safety. Network Rail cited concerning behavior that could result in severe injury or death. The level crossing is used by approximately 230 trains daily, making it a high-risk area for such activities. Recently, the tragic case of Jaiden Shehata, who died while using another "high-risk" level crossing near Kenley in south London on January 23 last year, underscores the severity of these risks. Jaiden had started at Riddlesdown Collegiate in South Croydon four months prior and was walking to school when he tragically walked into an oncoming train despite being warned by its horn.
Written for “Children Playing Near Train Tracks” on 2026-10-12,
grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.
Children have been seen doing handstands and playing 'chicken' with oncoming trains – forcing a busy level crossing to shut.
asserted
Children → see → crossing
Pictures show children and teenagers playing on Brickfields level crossing near Upminster in London.
asserted
children → show → London
Some were pictured deliberately playing 'chicken' with oncoming trains – jumping out of the way of the train at the last second.
asserted
Some → picture → second
Others were seen performing handstands, using their phones and racing across to beat a train.
asserted
Others → see → train
The crossing has now been closed with Network Rail condemning the 'concerning behaviour' that could put the teenagers at significant risk of injury or death.
uncertain
that → close → injury
The railway line through Brickfields is used by approximately 230 trains every day.
The crossing was initially closed for 21 days from September 30.
asserted
crossing → use → September
But now the closure will be extended until all year groups at local schools receive education about the dangers of trespassing on the railway.
asserted
groups → extend → railway
Pictures show children and teenagers playing on Brickfields level crossing near Upminster in London
Some were pictured deliberately playing 'chicken' with oncoming trains - jumping out of the way of the train at the last second
Others were seen performing handstands, using their phones and racing across to beat a train
Network Rail's Shenel Bullock said: 'The safety of the public is our absolute priority, which is why we have taken the difficult decision to temporarily close Brickfields level crossing.
'
asserted
we → show → crossing
We understand this closure may inconvenience some local people, but we cannot ignore the significant risks posed by this behaviour.
uncertain
we → understand → behaviour
'This temporary closure gives us the opportunity to assess what further measures may be needed to keep people safe.
uncertain
measures → give → people
'We are asking parents, carers, teachers and the wider community to help us reinforce this vital safety message.
asserted
us → ask → message
Every railway safety conversation could help prevent a tragedy.'
uncertain
conversation → help → tragedy
An 11-year-old schoolboy was killed in January 2025 after he was hit by a train while walking to school.
asserted
he → kill → school
An inquest concluded he was distracted by his smartphone.
asserted
he → conclude → smartphone
Jaiden Shehata, a Year 7 student at Riddlesdown Collegiate in South Croydon, died while on the 'high-risk' level crossing near Kenley, south London, on January 23 last year.
He would usually have been accompanied by his 18-year-old brother, Reece, but had set off for school 20 minutes earlier than normal that day.
Jaiden, who had started at the school four months before, walked into the path of an oncoming London-bound train at the Bourneview crossing, despite the driver sounding the horn while approaching the crossing.
asserted
driver → die → crossing
The promising young footballer and Chelsea fan was not wearing headphones at the time.
asserted
footballer → wear → time
Jaiden Shehata died while on the 'high risk' level crossing near Kenley, south London last year
At the inquest into Jaiden's death, Sarah Ormond-Walshe, senior coroner at South London Coroner's Court, said Jaiden was 'doing something which was very much normal behaviour by all of us', adding that 'everybody' gets distracted by their phones.
asserted
everybody → die → phones
The schoolboy was struck by the train at 8.03am.
asserted
schoolboy → strike → 8.03am
He was found by a police officer at 8.18am before paramedics arrived a few minutes later, and pronounced dead at 8.52am.
asserted
paramedics → find → 8.52am
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