Queensland Rail has slammed the actions of an irresponsible truck driver following a near miss at Helidon on Thursday morning (12 January), where the B-double collided with the boom gates and only narrowly avoided being hit by a train.
Queensland Rail Acting Chief Executive Officer Jim Benstead said motorists need to pay greater attention at level crossings and stop risking their lives and the lives of traincrew, just to save a few minutes.
“Despite the potentially deadly consequences, motorists continue to drive through or around boom gates, ignore flashing lights or signs, and pedestrians continue to risk their lives crossing tracks in front of trains,” Mr Benstead said.
“The latest incident occurred at the Turner Street level crossing at Helidon – a crossing which is protected by flashing lights and boom gates.
“The train was just 100 metres from the crossing when the train driver was forced to apply the emergency brakes after the truck collided with the boom gate arm, and entered in the path of the train.
“The truck was able to negotiate his way out of the rail corridor just in time, leaving the broken boom to collide with the train.
“I shudder to think about what may have happened if the timing had been different, as the consequences of a B-double colliding with a train could be catastrophic.
“This level crossing has flashing lights and boom gates and reports from the site indicate they were in operation at the time of the incident.
“It once again shows boom gates are not the silver bullet of rail safety – motorists need to do their part.
“There is no excuse for trying to beat a train - the train can’t swerve or avoid motorists so if there’s a collision, the car, truck or pedestrian will come off second best.
The incident comes after a shocking collision on the Darling Downs earlier this month, where a motorist escaped serious injury after she ran into a train on a level crossing in Dalby.
In 2011, there were seven collisions at Queensland level crossings.
"We urge all Queenslanders next time you approach a level crossing, consider what you would be leaving behind if you took a risk and didn’t make it – what would you miss?"