A freight train narrowly missed three youths playing on train tracks at Gowanbrae, Victoria, as seen in this video posted to YouTube on May 19.

According to uploader Brenden Schonfelder, the trio “got a nice little surprise” as a fast-moving steel train rounded the bend at the Moonee Ponds viaduct bridge, near Melbourne’s Essendon airport.

The train managed to slow down, as the three made their escape, and flashed its lights. They then returned to the tracks.

“Stupidity is probably a understatement as they went back for a second look after the train had passed,” he said. Credit: Schony747 via Storyful