UK - Boxer warns youngsters of railway dangers
Posted: 09 Apr 2009, 10:01
Boxer warns youngsters of railway dangers
Monday, April 6 11:00 pm
ITN on Yahoo News
Boxer Amir Khan has warned of the dangers of trespassing on railway tracks with more than 5,000 related crimes carried out last year.
Three youngsters were killed last year during incidents which included 1,063 cases of objects being thrown at trains and 90 of playing chicken.
The 22-year-old Olympic silver medallist from Bolton revealed his own personal experience of childhood friends who were injured playing around on train tracks.
"Thinking about it now, it's not worth it," he said.
Speaking at the Fitzroy Lodge Amateur Boxing Club in south London, he praised Network Rail's No Messin' campaign to keep children occupied and out of trouble.
Khan said: "It's going to take kids to a different level. It's going to keep them off the streets, going to put them into a sport which is positive, and kids can use their energy in a sport rather than playing chicken with a train."
Network Rail earlier launched its annual campaign ahead of the two-week school Easter holiday, when the number of incidents on train tracks typically rises.
Among the most shocking incidents were breeze blocks, televisions and bicycles being dropped from bridges to hit passing trains, and a blazing sofa being left on the line.
Wendy Smith, whose 15-year-old son Ricky was killed by a train near Leeds at Easter in 1997, said she hoped to prevent others going through her family's heartache.
"My message is really simple - no matter how bored you are, or how much your mates are saying it's OK, do not go onto the railway tracks. Your life is more important than what your mates think."
Khan also presented awards to young people who have already benefited from the No Messin' scheme.
Fitzroy Lodge Amateur Boxing Club was established 99 years age and is located under a railway arch near Waterloo Station.
Monday, April 6 11:00 pm
ITN on Yahoo News
Boxer Amir Khan has warned of the dangers of trespassing on railway tracks with more than 5,000 related crimes carried out last year.
Three youngsters were killed last year during incidents which included 1,063 cases of objects being thrown at trains and 90 of playing chicken.
The 22-year-old Olympic silver medallist from Bolton revealed his own personal experience of childhood friends who were injured playing around on train tracks.
"Thinking about it now, it's not worth it," he said.
Speaking at the Fitzroy Lodge Amateur Boxing Club in south London, he praised Network Rail's No Messin' campaign to keep children occupied and out of trouble.
Khan said: "It's going to take kids to a different level. It's going to keep them off the streets, going to put them into a sport which is positive, and kids can use their energy in a sport rather than playing chicken with a train."
Network Rail earlier launched its annual campaign ahead of the two-week school Easter holiday, when the number of incidents on train tracks typically rises.
Among the most shocking incidents were breeze blocks, televisions and bicycles being dropped from bridges to hit passing trains, and a blazing sofa being left on the line.
Wendy Smith, whose 15-year-old son Ricky was killed by a train near Leeds at Easter in 1997, said she hoped to prevent others going through her family's heartache.
"My message is really simple - no matter how bored you are, or how much your mates are saying it's OK, do not go onto the railway tracks. Your life is more important than what your mates think."
Khan also presented awards to young people who have already benefited from the No Messin' scheme.
Fitzroy Lodge Amateur Boxing Club was established 99 years age and is located under a railway arch near Waterloo Station.