SHOCKED shoppers watched in horror as a youngster was lifted 15ft by a level-crossing barrier and left hanging in the air.

The three-year-old had rested his foot on the bottom rail of the barrier as he watched a train go past and still had his foot there when it lifted up.

A number of people tried to grab the youngster as he was hoisted upwards.

Two men who were passing by came to the rescue and climbed up to pull the boy down.

A similar incident happened at the railway crossing in Poole High Street last year when another youngster was lifted into the air by one of the barriers.

Now a warning has been made to parents to keep their children away from the barrier when it is in operation.

The latest drama happened shortly before midday on Wednesday as shoppers waited for the barriers to lift.

Karyn Lacey, of Parkstone, was standing behind her young son Spencer as he watched a passing train.

"He had his foot on the barrier and there was a whoosh as the barrier lifted. It was really quite scary," said Karyn, of Shillingstone Gardens.

"It happened so quickly and the barrier doesn't look strong enough to hold a child up.

"A few people tried to grab Spencer as he was lifted up, then two blokes climbed up and got him. He wasn't hurt but he was shocked."

Karen said: "Maybe there should be some sort of warning to tell people the barriers are about to lift up. There should be something to make parents and the little ones aware."

She also praised the actions of the two Good Samaritans who rescued her son but left before she was able to thank them.

Donna Casey, media relations manager for Network Rail, said pedestrians using level crossings should not place their feet on the barriers.

She added: "The crossing at Poole is safe and is clearly marked with white lines for pedestrians to wait behind so that they do not go too close to the barriers and put themselves at risk.

"We would appeal to parents to ensure that their children do not climb or abuse railway equipment, such as level crossings, which contain moving parts, and wait behind the white line clearly marked on the highway."