Cyclist just inches from being crushed by a train after crossing safety barrier

A cyclist came within an inch of being run over by a train after breaching the safety barrier.

The biker was shown on CCTV footage being clipped by the passing locomotive as he crossed the railway in Hanoi, Vietnam.

He was thrown on to the ground along with his bike, but was able to get back on his feet and ride away.

According to local news reports, the cyclist was on his phone when the incident occurred.

Following the incursion, the 14-carriage train involved was inspected before continuing its service.

Railways are common at street level in Vietnam, including in its capital where trains frequently travel on tracks within metres of buildings on either side.

Accidents are frequent. In February a lorry driver was killed after his vehicle was hit by a train travelling through the city.

On March 8, a motorbike rider was killed after trying to circumvent the safety barrier at a crossing.

Hanoi’s famous Train Street carries railway vehicles several times a day on its single-track line.

The narrow road is lined with shops and homes and is a popular attraction for visitors looking for an iconic photo grab.

The distinctive railway line forms part of the north-south route through the city and was built under French colonial rule.

Tourists can view the railway while sitting at the street’s many cafes, with many advertising scheduled passing times to spur business while advising customers to move their seats in as a train approaches.

Between 2019 and 2023 it was closed to tourists by authorities citing safety concerns, with several visitors reported to have narrowly missed trains weaving through the street.

Officials are set to raise the fine for ignoring railway barriers to six million dong (£170) for cyclists and20 million dong (£564) for drivers of other vehicles.

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