The 25-second video, entitled "suicide jump stunt" and posted on video sharing site YouTube, shows a youth smiling at the camera while running across a road and sitting on the edge of a railway bridge, before disappearing over it.

The camera operator then moves to the bridge, and the footage shows a similarly-dressed young man lying between two railway tracks below.
Rail authorities were quick to condemn the makers of the video when they were alerted to it by the Evening Leader.

Diana Lucas from the Rail Safety and Standards Board said: "The rail industry takes this matter very seriously and puts a substantial effort into educating people about the dangers of trespassing on the railway.

"These people have placed themselves in danger by this reckless act."

The fire service also urged people not to treat the train tracks as a playground for pranks, warning they could have far more serious consequences.

Richard Fairhead, senior fire safety manager with North Wales Fire Service, said: "Emergency crews have been called to the aftermath of these kind of irresponsible stunts countless times, having to deal with individuals who have been injured or killed after performing stupid pranks.

"Trains travel extremely quickly, and these individuals playing a game of chance with their lives for a bit of excitement are putting their lives on the line needlessly, risking bringing pain and devastation into the lives of their family and friends."

Dave Faulkner, chief highways and transportation engineer at Flintshire Council, said: "We deplore this type of behaviour, which is irresponsible, not only for the individual but towards the safety of others as well."