A teenager from Thundersley who played chicken on a railway line was today lucky to be alive after being hit by a train.

The 17-year-old boy was playing the daredevil game in Leigh when a speeding train passed, clipping him on the way.

The teenager, who was with a group of pals when the accident happened, was taken to Southend Hospital.

His injuries were so severe he was transferred to St George's Hospital in London for major reconstructive surgery to his left leg and knee.

An investigation has now been launched by the British Transport Police.

Sgt Bob Alleway said it was unusual to be called to a railway incident where the person hit by a train was still alive.

He said: "This boy is very, very lucky to still be alive. He and his pals were running across the railway line but this boy did not make it. The boy came away with a badly broken leg which is very fortunate indeed."

The 9.20pm train from Fenchurch Street to Shoebury on Friday was stopped and emptied when the driver realised what had happened. He told police the group was running across the line between Leigh and Chalkwell stations as part of a game.

A transport police spokesman said the teenager was still in a comfortable condition in hospital late last night and a decision will be made in the next few days about further operations on his badly damaged leg.

Witnesses to the incident are urged to contact the British Transport Police on 0171 380 1400.

Accident scene - the stretch of track where youngsters were playing their deadly game of chicken

Picture: STEPHEN LLOYD

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.