Children dicing with death at rail tunnel

Children as young as 12 and 13 were last week seen walking along a ledge of the huge edifice which links up with a railway tunnel.

Councillor David Hilditch, who is also a director of Carrick Rangers, was at the football ground on Tuesday evening when the drama began to unfold at the location.

He said: “They were accessing through a hole in the fence from the road bridge.”

Adding that they appeared to have climbed over railings above the rail tunnel down to a ledge too, he continued: “They were crawling on their bellies underneath the bridge. If a train had come along they could have easily been sucked in. It nearly made you sick watching. I know it’s summer; there’s much more they could be doing rather than putting themselves at risk.”

Mr Hilditch immediately contacted the PSNI who attended the scene. “Police went looking to see if they could identify any of the kids involved,” he said. Noting that Translink and the Department of Regional Development have also been alerted, Mr Hilditch added: “It is a multi-agency issue. I would be calling for the green fence to be extended around.”

The PSNI confirmed that at 8.39pm they were called to reports of a number of young people climbing onto and below the railway tunnel at Taylor’s Avenue. Officers, police added, informed Translink and attended however upon arrival at 8.46pm the young people had left the area.

Translink revealed that train speeds in the area were reduced in response to the alert and the PSNI attended the scene, however, the track was clear at the reported location. A spokesperson for the transport provider added: “We would remind everyone of the dangers of trespassing on tracks. Our new train fleet is much quieter and faster than our older models and a moment’s carelessness could lead to dire consequences.”

A DRD spokesperson said the fence has been temporarily repaired and a more substantial one will be completed within the next few days.