Shocking CCTV footage shows the moment a train missed a dog walker crossing the tracks – by just four seconds. Train driver Mike Leonard, 54, said he thought the two dogs crossing the track were sheep before he spotted an elderly man step out in front of the train. Mike was driving between Machynlleth and Pwllheli in Wales on July 9 when came within seconds of hitting the man on the Harlech Cliffs level crossing. He said the dog walker didn’t look before he crossed the tracks. Mike said: “I saw two white things on the track, I thought they were sheep. “Then I realised they were dogs and suddenly this elderly man with a walking stick came up from the beach and just stepped out in front of the train, too. “The dogs weren’t on a lead and the man didn’t even look as he crossed. "I was about four seconds away from hitting him." Just three weeks later, at the same location, another dog owner had a narrow escape after venturing onto the track after their pet which was not on a lead. Mike, who has been driving for 15 years, said he has lost count of the number of times he has been forced to apply the emergency brake because of people crossing. He said: “In that moment you’re actually helpless. “You put the brake into emergency, you blow the horn, and it’s out of your hands. “The train stops when it stops. “You just watch everything unfolding in front of you. “It’s like it all just slows down. “I have had around six instances I would call very bad near misses, where people have been seconds away from being hit by the train. “One time involved two school children near Shrewsbury where one was dancing on the track, purposely misusing the level crossing - recklessly risking their life.” Mike is one of many rail industry workers who have had to take time off work after witnessing a near miss or fatality on the job. He said incidents like this can cause a lot of stress and anxiety. Mike added: “The impact of these incidents, especially fatalities of this kind, reach further than people think. “You sometimes go blank, and you keep on thinking about it - the ‘what ifs’ really play on your mind. “The more instances you have, it’s like you’ve had enough, it can be depressing.” Phil Caldwell, Network Rail’s level crossing manager for Harlech, said: “This truly is a beautiful area to visit, and very popular with tourists, but railways are very dangerous places. “There are around 300 different level crossings between Dovey Junction and Pwllheli alone - so everyone needs to stay vigilant and alert when near the railway. “Please let your memories be happy ones and not marred by the loss of your beloved pet or worse.” Krista Sexton, head of operational risk at Network Rail Wales and Borders said: "Trains approach almost silently. “If you’re distracted by a dog, headphones, mobile phone or anything else, you won’t notice a train approaching until it’s too late.” Leyton Powell, Transport for Wales’ Safety and Sustainability Director, said: “The railway can be a dangerous place if not treated with respect. “It’s vital to take great care when using one of the many level crossings across the Wales and Borders network, including following the key instructions: stop, look and listen. “We’re grateful to Mike for sharing his story, which provides insight on what our drivers go through in these terrifying situations.”
