RECKLESS schoolboys diced with death jumping out in front of trains on a high speed railway track in Widnes.

A shocked passenger posted this picture of two boys climbing through a fence at the back of Wade Deacon High School on Facebook to highlight the dangers.

Fortunately, the train driver had been alerted by security staff that there were trespassers on the line and slowed down.

The Widnes dad-of-two, who took the photograph does not wish to be named but wants to urge parents to warn their children they could be killed.

The man said: "I saw security staff speaking to the driver at Hough Green Station.

"When we moved off, the driver announced on the tannoy why he was going slow. He spotted them and stopped the train. They were hiding in bushes. He had words with them.

"It is terrifying. Trains fly through there at 70mph.

"These boys climbed through a hole in the fence at the back of school fields behind Wade Deacon and St Peter and Paul Catholic College for a bit of a laugh but they could have been killed.

"The family of these lads could suddenly get a knock on the door from police if they were hit by a train.

"It is difficult to judge the speed of an oncoming train.

"I hope parents recognise these lads and have words.

"I've been a parent waiting for my children to come home from school. If I thought they were doing this I'd get a grip of them."

BT police said officers were called to the railway line close to Hough Green Station shortly after 3.20pm on Thursday, March 22, following reports that two youths had trespassed on the tracks.

A BT spokesman said: "Officers attended and conducted a full line search, however they were unable to locate the children. Enquiries continue.

"Trespassing onto the tracks is extremely dangerous, trains travel at very high speeds and the consequences of trespassing could be lethal.

"We would like to remind children to stay clear of the tracks, you are putting yourselves in grave danger, never take the risk."