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News
Train Drivers Shaken After Collision
Aurizon is providing counselling and support to two train drivers badly shaken after a head-on collision between a loaded coal train and a sedan between Warra and Macalister last night.
At around midnight the vehicle veered into the rail corridor and into the path of an oncoming train.
The train drivers were continuously sounding the klaxon and had applied the emergency brake on the train but were unable to stop in time.
Miraculously the driver of the vehicle was able to escape his vehicle unhurt just moments before impact. Police are now investigating the incident.
Neil Backer, Head of Safety at Aurizon, said the incident was extremely distressing for the train drivers involved, who were immediately relieved from duty.
“Our crew could carry the memory of this incident with them for the rest of their lives. These are hard-working people going about their job like everyone else and no one deserves this sort of experience.”
“Our drivers can’t swerve, they can’t dodge, they can only apply the emergency brake and hope to stop in time.
“We’re continually pleading with the community to take absolute care near the rail corridor. The images of this collision clearly show the incredible force of a train hitting a car. This driver has narrowly escaped with his life.”
A fully loaded coal train weights approximately 10,500 tonnes and can take up to two kilometres to stop once the emergency brake is applied.