Article: Train drama in Hendra

[Derwan]

Another idiot causing damage and delays:

From http://city-north-news.whereilive.com.au/news/story/train-drama-in-hendra/

AUTHORITIES are at the scene of an accident involving a train on a level crossing at Hendra, which is expected to cause major peak hour delays.

According to the driver of a train travelling from Doomben to Cleveland, a blue Holden Commodore utility struck the boomgate which is lowered when trains approach the crossing on Zillman Rd, just up from the Eagle Farm racecourse.

The incident hapened about 3.30pm.

The train driver said he saw the car hit the boomgate with such force it bent the arm of the gate.

The motorist then sped away from the scene, the train driver said.

The train, carrying 12 paasengers, was stuck at the crossing.

A Queensland Rail spokesman said a ute smashed into the boom gate on Zillman Rd, bending it back in to the path of an oncoming west-bound train.

The train hit the gate which became wedged in the wheels, he said.

"As a safety precaution the train was stopped on the crossing," the spokesman said.

"We would advise people to avoid Zillman Rd for the time being."

The spokesman could not indicate how long the crossing would be blocked, but said electrical crews were working on the problem.

He said no one was injured, and all passengers were led off the train and on to the nearby platform at Hendra Railway Station.

The train did not derail, he said.

He said it was likely the driver of the ute was attempting to ``beat the boomgates??.

A Translink spokesman said buses have been scheduled to replace trains between Eagle Junction and Doomben.

He said this was the second incident at a level crossing on the Doomben line this week.

A truck hit the boom gates at the Nudgee Rd crossing on Tuesday - again while trying to outrun the lowering boom arms.

A Queensland Police spokeswoman said officers had cordoned off the area and were directing traffic.

[#Metro]

Ridiculous, absolutely ridiculous.
There should be dye bombs or something to mark the car when it speeds off, so people notice.
Or red rail light camera- not just CCTV.

Will this person be caught and fined? Probably not.

[longboi]

Sh%t. I was on that train on the outbound run  

[Sunbus610]

Surely a company out there could devise a red light camera/speed camera type concept that could be installed at most of these railway crossing to enable the authorities to photograph and then heavily fine these brain dead dickheads!! I did notice, while going up the coast on the train last Saturday morning, that the level crossing at Telegraph Road, Bracken Ridge/Bald Hills has a camera aimed at it. I'm assuming this is also just a CCTV camera??

[#Metro]

An absolute outrage.
That person should lose their licence, slapped with a whopping great fine, and then be forced to go for a complete re-test, including 100 hours of driver instruction.

If people damage a boom gate by genuine accident (I don't know how this would happen- maybe a car ramming into the back of another car and thus the boom gate) then they should be let off the hook.

[mufreight]

Right on Tramtrain but they should also be legaly responsible for all damages and costs caused as a consequence of their actions, be they as a result of their stupidity, impatience or a total disregard for the law and others.
Since they would have been driving a motor vehicle of some sort impound the vehicle until such time as the courts have decided the penalty and the penalty paid.