Cyclist's near miss with oncoming train caught on video

Nov. 29 (UPI) -- Rail officials in the Netherlands said footage of a cyclist's near miss with an oncoming train highlights the need for "guarded" crossings.

The video, posted to YouTube by Dutch railway infrastructure agency ProRail, shows the cyclist wait for a train to pass at a crossing in Geleen before cycling out onto the tracks -- and directly into the path of a train traveling in the opposite direction.

The cyclist, who appears to notice the train once he is already in its path, picks up speed and is able to cross just in time to avoid being hit by the fast-moving train.

ProRail said the footage highlights the need for signals and guard arms at all of the country's railway crossings.