Safety and security issues, articles, discussion.

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Man hurt after falling on to train tracks was vision impaired

A MAN who fell on to tracks at a northside Brisbane station and became trapped under a train for 45 minutes yesterday was vision impaired, police say.

Witnesses reported seeing the man look disorientated and losing his balance before he fell on to the tracks at the Virginia train station about 4.15pm.

The driver of an approaching train applied the brakes but could not stop in time, hitting the man's legs.

It took 25 firefighters up to 45 minutes to free him.

He was taken to the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital in a serious but stable condition with a leg injury.

Police today told The Courier-Mail the man was vision impaired.

The incident resulted in train suspensions for the Sunshine Coast, Caboolture, Redcliffe and Shorncliffe lines yesterday, with major delays for several hours.

[ozbob]

MSF Sugar --> Harvesting Operations at South Johnstone Mill Impacted by Derailment


Image Above: Following driveway repairs by a private land owner, the condition of the track caused a derailment on MSF Sugar's main cane railway line at Lawrence Road, Innisfail.


MEDIA RELEASE

THURSDAY 14 JUNE 2018

HARVESTING OPERATIONS AT SOUTH JOHNSTONE MILL IMPACTED BY DERAILMENT

HARVESTING activities at MSF Sugar's South Johnstone Mill will be impacted for several days as a consequence of a cane train derailment involving a double-header locomotive hauling 60 fully laden 6 tonne cane bins on the main line at Lawrence Road, Innisfail.

The incident occurred at 3.48pm on Wednesday 13 June when a private landowner was using a backhoe to repair his driveway, and was working across the railway line itself.

The double-header locomotive came around a bend and upon seeing the hazard, the loco driver sounded his horn to alert the driver of the backhoe to the presence of the train.

The landowner was able to move the backhoe out of the way before the loco came across.

However, residual material left on the track caused the locomotives to derail.

South Johnstone Mill Manager Kim Kendall said the locomotive driver was taken to Innisfail hospital for treatment and was later discharged.

"The people involved are safely home with their families today, so that's a good result given the circumstance," Mr Kendall said.

"What the incident does do is remind all residents living in and around our cane railway network that with crushing season underway, our lines are now active 24/7 and locos can travel through at any time.

"We urge people to be aware of where the cane railway lines are, and to take responsibility for their own safety around the network," he added.

"While it's unfortunate that our operations have been impacted, the situation that led to the derailment could have had a tragic outcome."

Both locomotives were extensively damaged and 13 of the 6 tonne cane bins were also severely damaged, with a large amount of sugarcane destined for the mill being lost.

The two damaged locomotives will be removed in coming days by a 200 tonne crane, which requires special road permits to travel to the location of the derailment. The locomotives will be returned to MSF Sugar's South Johnstone Mill workshop for major repairs. The section of railway line damaged during the incident will also be replaced.

Mr Kendall said the impact on cane harvesting operations in the South Johnstone region was still being determined.

Full supply to the mill is expected to be delayed until Sunday 17 June.

A thorough investigation is underway and engineering clearance will be required before the cane railway line is reinstated to active service.

ENDS

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/7NewsBrisbane/status/1007173390103265280

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Woman hit by bus in Brisbane city

A woman has been hit by a bus in Brisbane's CBD.

Emergency services were called to Adelaide Street about 8.15am after reports of a traffic incident involving a pedestrian and a bus.

An ambulance spokeswoman said a woman in her 20s was treated for a "significant leg injury".

She was transported to the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital in a serious but stable condition, the spokeswoman said.

Police said initial investigations suggested the woman was crossing Adelaide Street between Albert Street and Edward Street when a bus travelling towards Fortitude Valley struck her.

Police said Adelaide Street would remain open but urged motorists to avoid the area.

Adelaide Street Stop 23 near David Jones was temporarily unavailable, according to Translink.

Affected commuters were asked to catch their services from Stop 22, near City Hall.

This is the second bus-and-pedestrian incident in the city in as many months, with a woman killed after being bit by a bus on Ann Street in May.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/9NewsQueensland/status/1008524617080659968

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/7NewsSC/status/1016597200225234945

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Bundaberg train crash: Woman rushed to hospital with significant injuries

A CAR and cane train have collided on the Port Rd at Qanaba near Bundaberg, resulting in the derailing of the train on a 100km/h stretch of road.

A spokesman for the Queensland Ambulance Service has confirmed that a woman in her 40s has been taken to hospital in a serious condition with a neck and significant leg injury, the Bundaberg NewsMail reports.

A train driver has been taken to hospital suffering back pain.

A witness to the crash told the NewsMail what they saw.

"(The car) just ploughed straight into it," he said.

He said the red lights at the crossing were working and flashing as the train was moving through.

The road has been blocked.

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/1017613883907833858

[ozbob]

^

Couriermail --> Former Bundaberg MP Leanne Donaldson identified as driver in cane train crash

FORMER Bundaberg MP Leanne Donaldson has been identified as the driver of the car that ploughed into a cane train near Bundaberg on Friday.

Ms Donaldson was travelling along Burnett Heads Rd about 11.15am when her car collided with the locomotive, causing three cane bins to derail.

She was trapped inside the hatchback for almost an hour before being taken to Bundaberg Hospital with serious neck and leg injuries.

The Sunday-Mail understands she was later transferred to a Brisbane hospital.

A 57-year-old man who was on the cane train was also transported to Bundaberg Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

An ALP spokeswoman last night said Ms Donaldson was surrounded by family and that they were seeking the upmost privacy at this time.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/7NewsBrisbane/status/1020218739457863680

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/1023069596230672384

[#Metro]

Maybe its time to equip buses with pepper spray canister, just like they have fire extinguishers.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/abcbrisbane/status/1027770671349157889

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Teenage trio shocked, burned on Gold Coast rail line

Three teenagers have extensive burns after they were shocked by high-voltage power lines on a Gold Coast rail line.

Paramedics said the boys had climbed over a safety barrier at Pimpama on Thursday night and were sitting on a bridge when the electricity from the lines arced.

Two boys suffered burns, ranging in severity from full to partial thickness, to half of their bodies. They remain in hospital in serious condition.

The third boy is also in hospital in a stable condition.

Ambulance spokesman Allan Windsor said the teens had done a stupid thing, getting so close to the power lines.

"Apparently what happened is they climbed over the bridge there and sat on the concrete barriers that support the bridge to admire the view," he said.

"The electricity from the high-voltage wires has arced across ... It's very stupid ... they can arc ... that's why they have those safety barriers and fences there."

Queensland Rail chief executive Nick Easy said his thoughts were with the teenagers and their families.

"With 25,000 volts of electricity running through Queensland Rail's overhead power line network, it is critically important that members of the public do not enter prohibited areas of the rail corridor," he said.

Train services resumed late on Thursday night.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/7NewsBrisbane/status/1037974800663101440

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/7NewsBrisbane/status/1038339226155151360

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Former Cairns train driver blows whistle on naps at the wheel

QUEENSLAND Rail will investigate photographs of drivers who appear to have been asleep at their post.

Exclusive photos taken by former driver Barry Ammenhauser in 2015 show drivers apparently sleeping while on duty on passenger trains from Cairns to Kuranda and Townsville.

He took the photos during a time he alleges he was bullied by other staff including notorious Cairns depot senior driver and convicted drug dealer Graham Parsons.

A spokesman for QRail said the photos would be investigated.

"There is no confirmation to suggest the train was in motion or that the drivers are indeed asleep, or when the images were taken," the spokesman said.

"The images provided appear to show the second, spare driver who travels with the main driver operating the train on some regional service."

Mr Ammenhauser is adamant the trains were moving and the spare drivers – who should be watching the rails for any danger – were asleep.

"They're supposed to be vigilant at all times – I was carrying these guys," he said.

Mr Ammenhauser was medically retired from QRail in 2015.

"I have nothing to lose," he said, knowing that personal attacks could result from his whistleblowing.

His 30 years as a QRail driver ended while under the supervision of Parsons.

Parsons' tenure as Driver In Charge ended in disgrace in March 2017 when drug trafficking charges against him came to light.

In a bizarre conflict of interest, Parsons acted as the Australian Federated Union of Locomotive Employees rep for the drivers as well as in a managerial role.

Mr Ammenhauser alleged drug use was rife among Cairns QRail staff at the time.

"A driver was done 12 months before Parsons was caught," Mr Ammenhauser alleged. "He would be bright red, sweating like a pig, we would have the airconditioning on full bore in the middle of winter."

QRail would not comment on Parsons or Mr Ammenhauser as they are no longer in its employ. The AFULE have been asked for comment.

Beat up?

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/9NewsQueensland/status/1056826760841486336

[ozbob]

https://www.queenslandrail.com.au/about%20us/Media%20Centre/Media%20Releases/Pages/dics-a-heartbeat-away-in-Queensland-Rail-trial.aspx

Medics a heartbeat away in Queensland Rail trial

30/10/2018

An injection to Queensland Rail's customer service at four major inner-city Brisbane train stations is only a heartbeat away, with a new trial to post on-call medics at the ready.

Minister for Transport and Main Roads Mark Bailey said the three-month trial, rolling out from 29 October 2018, would see trained medics stationed at Roma Street, Central, Fortitude Valley and Bowen Hills stations during the morning peak to provide timely assistance to customers in the event of medical incidents.

"With more than 53 million customer movements through South East Queensland train stations yearly, we often see customers experience illness, medical conditions or a slip, trip or fall injuries while travelling with Queensland Rail," Mr Bailey said.

"In 2017, Queensland Rail recorded 400 medical incidents at its South East Queensland train stations. At the CBD stations alone, medical incidents over this period resulted in approximately 1500 minutes in delays while staff organised medical assistance for the customer involved.

"To help reduce medical related delays and improve customer safety throughout the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games, Queensland Rail contracted medical services to its inner-city, Beenleigh and Gold Coast line stations over the 12-day period.

"This exercise proved extremely beneficial during the major event, with a number of medical incidents able to be addressed within three minutes.

"Queensland Rail has since identified stations that have been most impacted by medical incidents in the past year and will now initially trial having medical staff on-call during the morning peak at Roma Street, Central, Fortitude Valley and Bowen Hills stations.

Over the course of the trial, medics may be reallocated to other stations, such as Eagle Junction and Park Road to assess the concept at other network locations.

"If a medical incident occurs, station-based medics will be able to safely and quickly provide first aid and assist Queensland Ambulance Service and other emergency services when they arrive, streamlining the handover process.

"This will complement Queensland Rail's existing first aid protocols.

Minister Bailey said Queensland Rail had appointed Queensland-based specialist medical services 1300 Medics to deliver the trial.

"1300 Medics have a proven track record providing medical staff for large-scale events across the state, including the Commonwealth Games, where their trained medics provided critical first aid for games patrons in a variety of scenarios," Mr Bailey said.

"It's an exciting and valuable trial for rail customers, and it's great to be able to partner with a Queensland business to help deliver it.

"This trial will not only help provide important medical treatment for injured customers, but it will also address any potential delays, with medics on-hand to look after ill or injured commuters, while allowing services to resume."

Queensland Rail will monitor and evaluate the trial over the three month period and medical staff will be fully trained and familiarised with the rail environment.

[SurfRail]

I am a bit surprised they didn't work something out for Park Road.  My own experiences over the years have been that medical issues do seem to either occur or need to be resolved there (bear in mind Gold Coast expresses often do not have an opportunity to stop anywhere between Coopers Plains and Park Road if using the dual gauge).

[ozbob]

My Police Brisbane West --> Rail operation on Ipswich and Ferny Grove Rail lines

Inner West Patrol Group have undertaken a number of partnership policing operations with Queensland Rail, TransLink and the QPS Rail Squad between October 17-24 on the Ipswich and Ferny Grove rail lines targeting anti-social and criminal behaviours that may disrupt the general public's safe use and enjoyment of our public transport systems.

The high visibility policing presence in and around the stations detected offenders committing rail related offences.

This resulted in 18 persons charged with 19 offences, 43 Rail Infringement Notices issued and 62 persons spoken to.

We would like to remind all commuters to keep their go card topped up to ensure they have sufficient funds for their trips.

[ozbob]

Rail Express --> Roundtable on rail suicide prevention held in Queensland

The TrackSAFE Foundation and Lifeline Australia hosted a Rail Suicide Prevention Roundtable for Queensland this week, attended state transport minister Mark Bailey and Ivan Frkovic, the Queensland Mental Health Commissioner.

The Roundtable, held at Queensland's Parliament House, was the third in a state-based roundtable series for rail suicide prevention, part of TrackSAFE and Lifeline's national partnership to pursue the joint objective of reducing rail suicides in Australia.

Bob Herbert, AM Chairman TrackSAFE Foundation, said it was pleasing to see government leaders come together with senior representatives from the rail industry, roads, police and mental health sectors come together to discuss rail suicide prevention in Queensland.

"The Roundtable was an opportunity to collaborate across the sectors and examine latest research, while identifying ways to reduce the rate of suicide on Queensland's rail network. Discussions also focused on what is being done to support passengers and staff directly affected by these distressing incidents," Herbert said.

"These incidents not only seriously affect members of the community, but also have a profound and lasting impact on train drivers and other frontline rail employees," said Mr Herbert AM.

John Brogden, Chairman Lifeline Australia, said the Roundtable had proved productive towards finding ways to prevent suicides on Australia's railways.

"Today's rail suicide prevention roundtable in Queensland brought together key parties to share knowledge and best practice on rail suicide prevention and intervention at a state level," Brodgen said.

"Through this partnership, Lifeline has committed to specifically addressing rail suicide as part of our vision of an Australia free of suicide. We look forward to working with TrackSAFE to progress the outcomes."

[ozbob]

Unusual for this occur ... 

================

https://www.atsb.gov.au/publications/investigation_reports/2018/rair/ro-2018-020/

Signalling irregularity at Eagle Junction, Qld, on 23 September 2018

At about 1545 on 23 September 2018, a conflicting route between trains DP41 and DG44 at Eagle Junction, Queensland, was reported to the Network Control Officer. The driver of train DP41, on Eagle Junction platform, reported that the signal indication for the route to the airport did not match the position of the points. The points were in the incorrect position for the signalled route. At this time, train DG44 from the airport travelled over the conflicting route.

There were no injuries or damage.

The ATSB has commenced an investigation and is collecting relevant evidence, including recorded data and interviews with directly involved parties.

A final report will be released at the end of the investigation.

Should a critical safety issue be identified during the course of the investigation, the ATSB will immediately notify relevant parties so appropriate action can be taken.

[red dragin]

So route signalled for towards Toombul, but the points set towards Doomben?

Mechanical linkage failure? Motor was set for Toombul but the actual blades didn't move.

[ozbob]

System should have detected the inconsistency what ever the cause.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Ben_Downie/status/1073042176261541888

https://twitter.com/Ben_Downie/status/1073044191633039361

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1081229873245343744

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1081230766971842560

[Otto]

Buses were stopped on the SE busway for 25 minutes tonight from 8:55pm at Holland Pk West and Greenslopes.
Rock throwers between Holland Pk and Greenslopes had damaged a number of buses prior to all buses being ordered to stop and not pass this area as the situation became a serious danger to the traveling public and drivers.
Police were called to clear the area and give the all clear to allow buses to continue along the busway.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/CrimeStoppersQ/status/1084218224399532032

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/brisbanetimes/status/1084980118647300097

[verbatim9]

Perth (WA) uses the "If you see something Say something" campaign as well. I have seen this campaign in the USA and ACT. It's very effective. This campaign should be national it's bizarre that some states like Qld take an unconventional approach, towards security and reporting vandalism.

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Brisbane woman caught in train doors sues for $300,000

A BRISBANE woman who injured her spine and hip when she became "trapped between" the doors of a train at Central station as it left the station, has sued for more than $300,000.

Mae Daphne Perral, 35, a singer from Bowen Hills, told the District Court in Brisbane in her claim that she was injured on January 20, 2017 when the train's automatic doors closed on her arms while boarding in the Brisbane central business district.

Perral states in her claim filed on January 15 that she was injured by the doors initially closing around her upper arms, and then further injured when she freed herself from their grip as they "continued unremittingly to close upon her lower-arms, chest and hips".

She claims she did not hear a whistle or station announcement warning her that the doors would be closing as she boarded the train travelling north out of the city on the Ferny Grove line at around 3.45pm.

She is claiming total damages of $305,322 made up of $200,000 for permanent impairment of her earning capacity, $20,487 for future medical expenses and $30,000 for future domestic help.

She argues Queensland Rail Limited, owned by the state government, failed its duty of care to have a system to "identify and respond" to passengers trapped in doors by releasing the doors, allowing them to escape without further injury.

She also claims that QR "knew or ought to have known" that passengers like Ms Perral can arrive at the platform "after any warning that the train's doors would be closing" but before they close, allowing passengers to try to board trains.

QR has not filed a defence and no date for hearing the case has been set.

Ms Perral's lawyer did not respond to requests for comment.

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Smoking commuters cough up more than $100,000 in fines

People waiting for public transport have borne the brunt of Queensland's crackdown on public smoking, with more than $100,000 in fines issues over the last financial year.

Over 2017-18 about 400 fines of $261 were given to people smoking with nearly 200 of those issued to people waiting for a train, bus or ferry.

Executive Director of Queensland Health's Preventative Health Branch Kaye Pulsford said the law was altered in 2016 to ban smoking at public transport stations, and inspectors had started to enforce it.

"The message is don't smoke in public places where people are forced to wait or congregate like at bus stops and taxi ranks, that's just really not on," Ms Pulsford said.

"Second-hand smoke is harmful, so if you're not a smoker but you're forced to wait near other people who are smoking, the government has said it's not OK."

About 270 warnings were also given over the same period, with smokers nabbed too close to building entrances, outdoor malls, and 27 who were fined for smoking inside a hospital.

The shrinking number of places for smokers to light up has resulted in some parts of Brisbane's CBD becoming smoke corridors, with smokers clogging footpaths and forcing pedestrians to battle through clouds of second-hand smoke.

There is also a petition before Brisbane City Council for a blanket ban on smoking while walking in the city, complaining about having to follow in the wake smokers sneaking a quick cigarette as they pick up lunch or walk to public transport.

Ms Pulsford said ultimately they want to eliminate smoking altogether, but in the meantime she believed the current bans were sufficient.

"Whilst we've been able to reduce it significantly, we really would ask smokers to be thoughtful of passersby and not congregate in large groups," she said. ...

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Barriers, proven to protect drivers, to be installed on 1200 council buses

BUS drivers have been assaulted, spat on, spat at and been the target of projectiles like ice cream and water bottles in past two financial years – but no driver in buses with barriers was physically targeted.

Brisbane City Council statistics show in the past two financial years 37 bus drivers were assaulted, 28 were spat on, 16 were spat at, six other "spitting incidents" and three times where projectiles were thrown at drivers.

One was a water bottle and one was an ice cream.

The council released the statistics at its Public and Active Transport committee as it announced its nine month trial of bus driver barriers had ended and it would progressively install the most well-received barrier on 1200 buses.

Public and Active Transport chairman Adrian Schrinner said the total cost would be about $1.3 million and the council would apply for the State Government to fund 50 per cent of the cost through the Queensland Bus Service Safety Scheme.

In an optimistic early sign, no driver in buses with barriers had been physically assaulted during the trial.

An officer told the committee was one "loud verbal circumstance" in a bus with a barrier and the driver later said it appeared the barrier had done its job.

There were three partial barriers trialled on about 150 buses, although one type was removed from the trial after safety concerns that glare on the surface was affecting visibility for drivers.

Criteria in the trial included driver protection, whether the barrier generated additional risk to the operator, driver comfort, impact on customer service and cost.

The successful barrier was also the only one that did not receive negative feedback from the Rail, Tram and Bus Union.

Cr Schrinner said the council had used driver feedback, advice from bus manufacturer Volgren, and experience of other bus operators to choose the barrier.

"We've had the most rigorous employee consultation process of any bus operator in Queensland," he said.

The council decided against using full encapsulation barriers due to fears of driver entrapment, affect on visibility and the cost of developing a solution that could be retro-fitted into the council's range of different vehicles.

He added the State Government grant for fitting driver barriers was only $2000 per bus.

"$2000 won't get you full encapsulation," he said.

However, Cr Schrinner said the Brisbane Metro vehicles would be designed with full encapsulation and the council would ask for future bus building contracts to put forward options for full encapsulation.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1102765626370781184

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1102768394204372992

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/9NewsQueensland/status/1103541855570997248

[ozbob]

Seems to be some significant issues with the design of the bus safety screens.  A lot of drivers not happy apparently.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1110768031494365185

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Woman's shock at passenger's sex act on Tilt Train

"PLEASE God, please see my message..."

That's how Kathy Robertson-Cipak started her plea to Queensland Rail when she discovered a man sitting near her was performing a sex act on the Tilt Train.

Ms Robertson-Cipak boarded the train in Miriam Vale yesterday, heading to Brisbane for surgery, and the last thing she needed was for someone to board in Bundaberg and start "playing with his genitals".

She said initially she thought he had pubic lice, but as it continued she said it became apparent that wasn't the case.

Having never experienced anything like it in her life, Ms Robertson-Cipak said, while she was terrified, she thought no one would believe her without proof.

"I took a photo... (he's) just smug looking at me," she said.

"I was scared shitless."

She said she was texting her husband and Queensland Rail while on the train in the hopes someone would see her message and intervene.

"I couldn't call out to anyone - (they were) all elderly," she said.

"I froze."

Ms Robertson-Cipak said she "normally I'd have got up and smashed him" but found she was paralysed by shock during the incident.

She said she was angry she didn't tell the man to stop.

"I haven't slept. (I'm) trying to tell myself it's ridiculous," she said.

Ms Robertson-Cipak said it took all her strength just to take a photo.

She said she tried to make it seem like he wasn't affecting her, putting her bag on her lap Ms Robertson-Cipak said she wanted to look as unattractive as possible, but there were no blankets to cover up.

"Thankfully I'm not a young girl or old lady," she said.

Ms Robertson-Cipak said it "took ages" before she could see a staff member and show him the message she'd sent Queensland Rail and the photo she took.

"He only put his penis away when the doors opened," she said.

About three minutes later, QR staff moved her to another seat.

Ms Robertson-Cipak said staff had arranged for the train to stop at Howard where they were expecting police to be waiting. But police were not at the station and the man left the train.

"Anger filled me that he could just get off like that," she said.

"I just want other women to speak up."