This is the moment two youths risked their lives by lying acrosss railway tracks in Southampton.

CCTV footage from the station, shows one of the youths appearing to lie across the tracks with his head resting on the 750-volt third rail.

Luckily for him the power was turned off for overnight engineering works - but British Transport Police say there is no way he could have known that.

The footage shows the youth and his friend stumbling across the tracks after the station had closed.

They were among a group of four people seen congregating on the platform after gaining access through a side entrance.

The clip - recorded at 5.12am on Saturday, August 2 - shows adiesel-powered works train passing on its way to overnight engineering works taking place between St Denys Station and the Portcreek Junction and Farlington Junction area.

The youths are seen playing on the tracks, scrambling on the platforms and waving their hands while talking to to two others.

Another camera captures the pair laughing at something on a mobile phone and embracing after they had got back onto the platform.

Sergeant Alisar Kennerley said: “This was a truly shocking incident in which one of these individuals could easily have been killed or seriously injured. They seem totally oblivious to the risks as they play on the line, with one of them even resting his head on the third rail which is normally electrified.

Bournemouth Echo:

“Luckily for them, all power was switched off due to overnight engineering works. However, there would have been no way of them knowing this, making their behaviour even more concerning.

"Also, diesel trains involved in the works were running, with one passing through the station shortly before these individuals decided to venture onto the tracks. If the power had been on, I have no doubt we would be dealing with a fatality.”

Sharon Vye-Parminter, Safety & Assurance Director for the Network Rail-South West Trains alliance said: “The railway in the south east of England uses a high-voltage third rail to power the trains. It looks just like a normal rail, but it’s electrified and has 750 volts passing through it.

"Thankfully at the time of this incident the power supply was turned off due to maintenance work, but there was no way those involved could have known this. Nothing more than luck kept these people from being seriously injured or even killed.

“Thankfully the number of people killed or hurt on the railways is coming down but every death or injury is preventable. Our community safety teams work tirelessly with young people across Britain to warn them of the dangers and encourage them to get involved in safer and more positive activities. Even though the majority of trespassers aren’t hurt, these crimes are not harmless and can result in huge delays and costs.”

Bournemouth Echo:

The appeal comes 11 days after three men were injured when they received electric shocks on the line at nearby Totton railway station.

Officers are now appealing for the public’s assistance in tracing the two people from the Woolston CCTV video.

Sgt Kennerley added: “They may have cheated death but now we want to talk to them about their reckless behaviour. I am appealing directly to these individuals to come forward to police. I am also appealing to anyone who recognises them to get in touch.

“Our message to the public is clear; stay off the tracks. The railway line is a dangerous environment with passing trains and electrified rails presenting real dangers.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact British Transport Police on 0800 40 50 40, or text 61016, quoting reference S/B6 of 26/08/2014. Information can also be passed anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.