Truckies dice with death on railway crossing | News

Nikkii Joyce | 1st December 2008

A FORMAL complaint of motorists disobeying train signals has been made to Oakey police, just days after one of Queensland's worst ever rail disasters.

Police confirmed yesterday they were contacted by Queensland Rail in relation to two incidents involving trucks at a crossing between Bridge and Davidson streets last week.

Oakey Police officer-in-charge John Cook said the complaint came from train drivers reporting two trucks crossing the line at a dangerous point while warning lights were flashing.

Sergeant Cook urged motorists to put aside the inconvenience of wasting time in place of looking out for their own safety.

“We've seen how easy it can happen. Obviously if boom-gates were there and they came down when the lights were flashing, then motorists wouldn't be able to cross,” Sgt Cook said.

Townsville-based train drivers Richard Wetherell and Michael Smithers were killed and a 63-year-old truck driver was seriously injured after a collision between a Tilt Train travelling from Brisbane to Cairns and a semi-trailer last Thursday at Cardwell in North Queensland.

It was also at a level crossing where plans are now to add boom gates.

“No-one wants something like this to happen anywhere, but it's certainly not something I wish to have to attend here in my town,” Sgt Cook said.

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