This is the moment commuters jumped the barriers to try and catch a train - as strikes hit Britain.

Footage shows people leaping over the turnstiles at Chelmsford station in Essex this morning (4/10).

An onlooker said there was confusion over whether commuters would be allowed to board an arriving train as it was already full.

One man then jumped the barrier, they said - prompting others to follow suit.

Thousands of trains have been cancelled today due to ongoing disputes over pay, jobs and working conditions

The eyewitness said the "madness" unfolded as the 8:43am train to London Liverpool Street pulled in."

They said: "We could all hear the train stopping at the station, and then one guy, he jumped the barrier."

"Suddenly everyone started hurling themselves over the gates and running to the train."

"We were angry and confused - we didn’t know if [the trains] were cancelled all day or if it was just this one morning train."

"It all happened so fast - I started recording it for my boss. I was in no rush as it couldn’t be helped, but it was madness."

"People were shouting. They were getting their bags and selves caught in the gates while jumping too."

"I am guessing the people who jumped the barriers managed to board the train, because none of us who waited saw them come back down."

"And when I headed up to the platform, they were gone."

The commuters who waited for the gates to open for the next train were able to scan through the gates as normal, the onlooker added.

Greater Anglia, which manages Chelmsford station, was approached for comment.

ENDSSWTPbarrier - by Lula White

This is the moment commuters jumped the barriers to try and catch a train - as strikes hit Britain.

Footage shows people leaping over the turnstiles at Chelmsford station in Essex this morning (4/10).

An onlooker said there was confusion over whether commuters would be allowed to board an arriving train as it was already full.

One man then jumped the barrier, they said - prompting others to follow suit.

Thousands of trains have been cancelled today due to ongoing disputes over pay, jobs and working conditions

The eyewitness said the "madness" unfolded as the 8:43am train to London Liverpool Street pulled in."

They said: "We could all hear the train stopping at the station, and then one guy, he jumped the barrier."

"Suddenly everyone started hurling themselves over the gates and running to the train."

"We were angry and confused - we didn’t know if [the trains] were cancelled all day or if it was just this one morning train."

"It all happened so fast - I started recording it for my boss. I was in no rush as it couldn’t be helped, but it was madness."

"People were shouting. They were getting their bags and selves caught in the gates while jumping too."

"I am guessing the people who jumped the barriers managed to board the train, because none of us who waited saw them come back down."

"And when I headed up to the platform, they were gone."

The commuters who waited for the gates to open for the next train were able to scan through the gates as normal, the onlooker added.

Greater Anglia, which manages Chelmsford station, was approached for comment.