The state’s peak rail union says train drivers are getting desensitised to near misses following a crash at a level crossing in Tasmania’s North-West.
Emergency services were called to Stony Rise Road in Devonport around 6am on Wednesday after a train hit a ute and was dragged along the tracks.
TasRail CEO Steven Dietrich said state-owned body and police were still investigating the incident.
“Unfortunately, this particular vehicle seems to have stranded at the level crossing and was unable to remove itself from the track before the train approached the level crossing and collided with the vehicle,” Mr Dietrich said.
“Very fortunately, there were no injuries, but the impacts are lasting, particularly on our train driver and the young loader operator that was with the train driver at the time.
TasRail CEO Steven Dietrich at a level crossing in Devonport. Picture: Simon McGuire.
“Because it was just on daybreak, those individuals have got no idea whether there was somebody in that vehicle or not.”
It was the second train-related incident over the course of a few weeks after a semi-trailer collided with a train on April 30 at Westbury.
So far in 2024, Mr Dietrich said there had been 52 near misses and incidents at level crossings in the state.
“That’s just far too many here in Tasmania, and so we’ll continue to educate and promote safety messages,” he said.
“But in the end, it’s just people making the right choices and taking the safety first approach.”
Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) Tasmanian Branch Secretary Byron Cubit said the high number of incidents at level crossings was worrying.
A semitruck and trailer collided with the front of a train on Marriot St, Westbury on April 29, 2024. Tas Rail conducting investigations on Tuesday. Picture: Elise Kaine
Police and Emergency services at a train crash on Stony Rise Road at Devonport. A vehicle has been hit by a train and pushed along the tracks. Picture: Tasmania Police
“While it is scary, near misses are happening at such a rate where train drivers are actually getting desensitised to it,” Mr Cubit said.
“That’s a concern. It is an extremely serious issue.
“It can be fatal, and if a driver is involved in a fatality, they have to live with that for the rest of their lives.”
Mr Cubit said more funding was needed for level-crossing safety.
“That includes further upgrading passive level crossings to active level crossings.
“What that means is more flashing lights, and we want mobile and fixed security cameras because what is currently happening is the front-facing camera on the locomotive can’t pick up a licence plate number.
“We’d also like to see additional funding for more level crossings with boom gates as well.”
While he said all of TasRail’s level crossings meet Australian standards, Mr Cubit said it was “always looking for opportunities for improvements”.
News.com
