A railway level crossing in east London—Brickfields level crossing near Upminster—is closed after children are reported to have played “chicken” with trains and done handstands near the tracks, creating a serious safety risk. Network Rail says the crossing will remain shut until action is taken to address the issue.

Multiple outlets describe images of children and teenagers on or beside the crossing, with reports that their actions distract them from approaching trains. While the coverage largely centers on the same incident and location, accounts vary slightly in wording, with some highlighting the “play chicken” element and others focusing on the overall danger created by being distracted on the tracks.

All sources frame the situation as potentially life-threatening and emphasize the need for corrective steps before the crossing can reopen. Network Rail’s decision to close the crossing reflects an immediate effort to prevent further incidents while safety concerns are addressed.