News

Australia’s largest rail freight operator Aurizon has warned a tragic fatality is only a matter of time after a deadly game of chicken on the tracks at the Jellicoe Street level crossing in Toowoomba.

Around 11pm on Friday night last week, a male occupant of a vehicle stopped at the level crossing, left the vehicle, lifted the boom gate and stood in the middle of the train track waiting for the oncoming train.

Aurizon’s train crew had good visibility and saw the man in time to apply the emergency brakes. The train then stopped in time to narrowly avoid the man, who then returned to the vehicle and left the scene.

Aurizon Vice President Safety Health & Environment, Neil Backer says the details of the car’s registration have been passed on to Queensland Police.

“We hope this foolish, irresponsible behaviour by this individual is met with the full force of the law,” he said.

“The incident is a disturbing reminder that some people are willing to risk their lives and those of our train drivers despite the obvious dangers, our ongoing safety campaigns and the possibility of police charges.

“Our drivers did a magnificent job in the circumstances. But there’s no way we can guarantee a person’s safety when they do stupid things like this.

“It is inconceivable that people would play chicken with a train. Our train drivers can’t steer a train off the tracks to avoid someone and they can’t stop the train suddenly. Coal and freight trains can be up to two kilometres long and can take up to one kilometre to pull up when the emergency brakes are applied.

“Near miss incidents are extremely traumatic for our train drivers, who have every right to go to work each day without fearing reckless and downright stupid behaviour.

“It’s only a matter of time before someone is killed,” he said.