A 12-YEAR-OLD GIRL who fell on a live railway track is lucky to be alive after escaping with burns to her hands.

It comes as alarming figures show 196 people trespassed on railway lines in the Brighton area last year alone.

Thirty-three of them were children or teenagers.

After the girl’s lucky escape near Lewes railway station, her mother, Shelley Parkes, is pleading with children to stay away from the tracks.

She said: “I felt absolutely heartbroken when I heard what had happened, especially as it could have ended up a hell of a lot worse than it did.

“Thankfully we’ve still got her here, but two weeks later and none of us are sleeping because of the nightmares.

“We’re lucky she’s still here as other people aren’t so lucky.

“Please stay away from the train lines, even if your friends go near them, just stay completely clear as it’s just so dangerous.”

Railway trespasses have increased 20 per cent in the Brighton area since 2014 – with figures across the South at a four year high.

New research shows that more than a quarter of teenagers have confessed to risking their lives on the railway and one in ten teenagers admitted to walking along the line.

Nationally, 18 people have died and a further 48 people have suffered life changing injuries.

Network Rail safety experts visited the 12-year-old’s school, King’s Academy in Ringmer, on Monday to raise awareness around the dangers of trespassing on the railway.

In response to the shocking figures, British Transport Police have launched a life-saving campaign called ‘You vs Train’.

The campaign is targetting teenagers and aims to make them think about the consequences for them and their loved ones should they make the potentially life-changing decision to ignore warnings and go on to the railway.

At the heart of the campaign is the story of Tom Hubbard - a young boy who suffered third degree burns across 57 per cent of his body after being electrocuted by overhead cables in 2014.

British Transport Police assistant chief constable Robin Smith said: “We hope that by sharing stories like the 12-year-old girl in Lewes, young people who might have previously considered trespassing on railways will think twice.

“We want these stories to be heard – the tracks are not a playground.

“They’re incredibly dangerous and can easily result in serious injury or worse.

“We hope the campaign will help young people to understand the risks and help them to make the right decision and stay away from railway lines.

“Equally, it will also help them understand that bad decisions don’t just affect them, but they will have a deep and lasting impact on their families and friends as well.”