TRESPASSING motorbike riders have been forced to dive for their lives after narrowly escaping the path of an oncoming V/Line train.

The stunning footage shows the train sounding its horn as it closes in on a group of five riders on the Ballarat line near Ballan, northwest of Melbourne.

FIVE HURT IN V/LINE SMASH

One man was forced to abandon his bike on the tracks as the train sped toward his group.

Fortunately, the rider escaped without serious injury.

Dashcam captures near miss with train Dashcam captures near miss with train





media_camera The rider abandons his motorbike on the tracks to jump out of the way. Picture: V/Line

media_camera The rider leaps to safety. Picture: V/Line

V/Line CEO James Pinder said last month’s close shave underlines the risk to life and limb of people who trespass on the on railway property.

“Our trains travel at up to 160 kilometres per hour, and many new services have been added to our timetable in the past two years — with more to come,” he said.

“Trains approaching at high speed are quieter than expected — and it can take nearly a kilometre for a train to stop once the driver applies the brakes.”

matthew.langdon@news.com.au

@mnlangdon