Queensland Rail has ‘slammed the actions of four people’ in North Queensland following ‘two shocking level crossing incidents’ in the area in less than a week.
Queensland Rail Acting Chief Executive Officer Jim Benstead said the latest incident occurred on Thursday (26 April) at the Hugh Street level crossing at Garbutt.
“While a loaded nickel train was approaching the level crossing, a female motorist driving a small hatchback ignored the signs and signals and drove straight in front of the train,” Mr Benstead said.
“The train driver applied the emergency brakes and thankfully came to a halt – however this motorist avoided a collision by a shocking 30 centimetres.
“This incident was a chillingly close call, at a level crossing which is protected by flashing lights and boom gates. It once again shows boom gates are not the silver bullet of rail safety – motorists need to do their part.
“Last Sunday afternoon (22 April), three foolish pedestrians parked their white Toyota beside the train tracks at the Australian Institute of Marine Science turnoff near Townsville, and stood on the tracks at the level crossing taking photographs.
“Fortunately, the Tilt Train driver was able to stop 20 metres clear of the three pedestrians, after he applied the emergency brakes.
“I am pleading with motorists and pedestrians to obey the law, it should not take a fatality in the region for the message to get through.
“Every crossing on the Queensland Rail network has some form of protection, but these North Queenslanders still decided to run the gauntlet.”
