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Cyclist at level crossing (via Laughingcow on Twitter).JPGCyclist/moron fined for forcing his way through level crossing and nearly being hit by train
A cyclist who was almost hit by a train after forcing his way through closed barriers at a level crossing in south west London has been fined £130. The London Evening Standard reports that George Caraska pleaded guilty to one count of disobeying a safety notice or sign and one of obstructing an engine using the railway by an unlawful act.
Footage of the incident, shot at North Sheen station by Twitter user Laughingcow4, was widely shared on the social network after being retweeted by broadcaster Jeremy Vine.
One onlooker who urged the man to stop can be heard being told, “I don’t fucking care, mate.”
Caraska then gesticulated angrily at the train as it passed within inches of him, with the driver sounding the horn.
The driver is reported to have carried out an emergency stop, meaning that the crossing became blocked. Caraska ended up carrying his bike over the footbridge.
Caraska was arrested after first failing to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court for a hearing in October.
Speaking after he was sentenced this week, Assistant Chief Constable Robin Smith of British Transport Police said: “This has to rank as one of the most stupid, arrogant and dangerous things I’ve seen in my entire police service.
“Fortunately, Caraska was caught on camera and widely shared on social media by members of the public who were as horrified by his actions as we were.
“Disobeying a safety notice on the railway and obstructing a train is a serious matter and could have resulted in death or injury to the train driver, passengers, Caraska himself and massive disruption and cost to the rail network. Not forgetting of course it would be left to my staff and busy emergency services to deal with the aftermath.
“I’m really pleased BTP officers have put this man before the courts. Their tenacity shows we are, and always will be, relentless in tracking down anyone who puts public safety at risk.
“Notices and barriers are there for a reason and anyone with a molecule of common sense knows that. Regrettably in Caraska’s case, common sense isn’t all that common.”
Alex has written for more cricket publications than the rest of the road.cc team combined. Despite the apparent evidence of this picture, he doesn't especially like cake.
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29 comments
It looks to me that he came from the other side of the barrier, where are you assuming he came from and what level of stereotype or bigotry were you thinking?
And some people don't give a f whether you give a f about his mental health. Just because you lack understanding or empathy doesn't make you more important...
I could not give a flying F*** as to his mental state he is endangering others with his actions.IF this bloke comes from where I suspect he does I am not remotley suprised at his actions or his response to the bystander who remonstrated with him they quite literaly do not give a toss about the law rules or regulations either at home or abroad.
I'm guessing that Assistant Chief Constable Robin Smith didn't have anything to do with the carnage cause by Gary Hart
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Heck_rail_crash
I think pedestrian = person on bike = person in car = bus passenger. A means of transport, for convenience, necessity, whatever.
Cyclist = motorist = rambler or hiker = bus enthusiast. Enthusiast being the key word for all modes.
Most of us, most of the time, combine a bit of both: we might ride to work because it's the best way for us to get there, but at the same time, we enjoy it and are enthusiastic about it (the riding, not necessarily the going to work!).
Well surely this guy is a pedestrian as I can't see him riding a bike...
I think this another case that proves there are "cyclists" and "people who sometimes ride bikes", this fella falling into the latter category. Most idiotic cycling is down to people in this category rather than actual cyclists who know what they are doing and respect the road, it's rules and other road users. Unfortunately, incidents like this only lead to the Daily Mail tarring all "cyclists" with the "people who sometimes ride bikes" brush.
Go and ride your bike.
Are there "motorists" and "people who sometimes drive"? Are there "pedestrians" and "people who sometimes walk"?
I think if you're driving a car you're a motorist, if you're walking you're a pedestrian, if you're riding a bike you're a cyclist. You seem to be falling for the "No true Scotsman" fallacy.
Are you still a pedestrian if you're walking the Three Peaks Challenge? Or across a country like that chap on Channel 4?
What are the alternatives?
Pedesexuals?
Good, this guy is a complete tool. IDGAF about any issues this guy may or may not have.
Someone could get seriously hurt in the train when they do an emergency stop. Plus what about the driver, I'm pretty sure when they see a human being splattered across the front of their trains they are traumatised in some way or another.
I stick up for cyclists when they are in the right, this one isn't.
It's only a fine FFS. He should've had a bigger fine IMO.
Yeah and everyone who commits suicide is selfish, those with stress are weak, those with anxiety should man up.
The real world is a scarier place for some than macho brovado!
Perhaps the rest of the police could learn from BTP and be “relentless in tracking down anyone who puts public safety at risk”.
“This has to rank as one of the most stupid, arrogant and dangerous things I’ve seen in my entire police service.
“Fortunately, Caraska was caught on camera and widely shared on social media by members of the public who were as horrified by his actions as we were".
Doesn't sound like this fella does much actual policing.
p.s. I'm as horrified by this as I am by a car parking on a 'school keep clear' painted sign
Exactly. Sounds like Deputy Chief Assistant Noddywanker has never travelled outside of the pages of the Daily Mail. I bet the effers emphatically do NOT clean up after accidents, that gets left to some other poor bugger, while they sit around clutching their pearls.
I've been on a train which hit a suicide. The people who cleared up the mess, carrying buckets and wearing rubber gloves up to their shoulders were indeed policemen. The train had to wait three hours before it could move again while they carried out this unpleasant task.
Just wish that motorists were given the same amount of air time/vilification for their misdemeanors especially when even with the big reduction in recent times there were 4 crashes between trains and motors, 3 with pedestrians and ZERO with people on bikes and the list of near misses are listed as 73 for motors and 258 for non motorised (everyone else not in a motor)
Data as per 2015/16.
As a side issue, Network Rail have closed off hundreds of level crossing in the last few years, often stopping up routes that people on bike use and then put no suitable crossing or even any at all in place so you end up having to detour miles to get where you are going.
They assess all these closings as saving 1.5 lives per year.
Poor sad, homeless, probably depressed person. Incredibly stupid thing to do, but perhaps he deserves some sympathy.
What?!?!!? I hope this is some poorly-executed attempt at humour. What makes you think that homeless and/or depressed people are naturally idiots?
In my own personal experience of depression, you sometimes do some stupid things, but that's just me. Not sure why you think anything in my post was humourous; it most certainly wasn't intended to be.
Perhaps your experience is different, and your empathy for fellow human beings does you great credit.
sorry, but you are making massive assumptions on the mental condition of the man that committed this crime. If his mental state had been a part of it then that would have been included in reporting on the case? Either way, people can’t be allowed to run amok endangering the safety of others.
sorry, but you are making massive assumptions on the mental condition of the man that committed this crime. If his mental state had been a part of it then that would have been included in reporting on the case? Either way, people can’t be allowed to run amok endangering the safety of others.
But yet, everyday, they're allowed back in their vehicles and on the roads.
Which bit of "probably" did you not understand?
None, I suspect. 'Probably' and 'Assumably' are synonyms. If you are saying 'x' is 'probably' 'y' then you are making an assumption.
Well, I just googled for synonyms of probably and none of the results were assumably. I'm assuming that English probably isn't your first language.
Ha Ha! I see what you did there. Very good.
Where does burtthebike describe the man as an idiot?
He said it was a stupid thing to do which it was.