LINK TO CCTV LINK TO INTERVIEW WITH DRIVER A Queensland Rail train driver has spoken out about a chilling close call with a trespasser in a bid to stop the risky behaviour in its tracks.
Footage of the incident shows a person cross the closed level crossing at Morayfield in August 2023 and then walk dangerously close to the moving train, before jumping to get to the platform.
The Queensland Rail driver of the train, Rodney Young, said he was shocked at how close the customer came to catastrophe.
“You just get a hot feeling, your blood pressure boils, and it stresses you out," Mr Young said.
“I hit the horn, headlights on and brakes into full service and all I could do was just hope he got out of the way at the last second because you know you're not going to stop. “I thought I'd collected him, I was looking in the side mirror and I'm going 'how'd I miss him?'
“All he had to do was slip and he was under the train."
Drivers who experience these types of incidents are given extensive support from Queensland Rail, which may include immediate relief from duties, extended paid leave and access to trauma counselling.
Mr Young, a veteran train driver of 27 years, said that even with excellent support, the incident still played on his mind, and he pleaded with Queenslanders to not risk their lives to save time.
“Whenever I am near the same spot it triggers the thought that it's going to happen again," he said.
“In those five seconds your life is gone. Walk around, go through the level crossing, go over the bridge, just do everything safely and don't try to be a hero.
“Losing your life over that is just not worth it."
Queensland Rail Senior Manager Security and Emergency Preparedness Drew Brock echoed Mr Young's calls, highlighting there were 4109 trespassing incidents on the Queensland Rail network in 2023.
“It's a no brainer - stay off the tracks, because trespassing is not worth risking your life," Mr Brock said.
“The number of people trespassing is increasing, which is why Queensland Rail is urging people to make safe choices.
“Of those incidents last year, 351 were near misses with trains in SEQ – these are people who've come within seconds of tragedy.
“Common motives for trespassing include taking short-cuts across railway tracks and between station platforms, retrieving dropped items as well anti-social behaviour such as vandalism. “Allow plenty of time to get to your train, and if you drop an item on the tracks speak to station staff who will arrange to have it retrieved safely. “We want everyone, including our train drivers and customers, to get home safely." Mr Brock said trains on the network can travel at speeds of up to 160 kilometres per hour, can take up to two kilometres to stop, and can't swerve to avoid cars or people. “By illegally accessing prohibited areas of the rail network, trespassers are risking electrocution from the high voltage overhead lines or being struck by a train," he said. “If you don't get killed, you'll get caught. We have around 12,000 CCTV cameras across the network, a dedicated team of Queensland Police Railway Squad Officers, Authorised Officers and private security guards." To report unsafe behaviour in progress on the rail network, members of the public can call triple zero and also report to Queensland Rail staff where available. Those caught trespassing on the rail network can be fined $309 on the spot or face criminal charges.
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