2LT Local News

PARKES, Central West, NSW, Australia – A man has been killed in the second of two train crashes at level crossings in the Central West in the past five days.

A man believed to be in his 40s died and a woman, believed to be in her 50s, was injured after their Toyota Hilux utility collided with a train, at a level crossing on Kiatacoo Road at Euabalong, 170km west of Parkes, around 7:00am on Friday.

The man died at the scene while the woman was transported to Lake Cargellico Hospital with shoulder injuries.

Officers from Central West Police District have begun an investigation into the crash.

This latest incident follows a similar collision between a Subaru station wagon and the Dubbo-bound XPT train on Sunday at the Greghamstown Road crossing near Blayney on Sunday. A 69-year old man was injured in that crash, and is being treated at Orange Hospital.

Friday’s tragedy also followed a similar incident in Queensland less that 24 hours beforehand. A 55-year-old woman was killed when the car she was driving collided with a  train at a level crossing at Fredericksfield, south of Townsville, about 10.30am on Thursday.

The woman was the only person in the vehicle and she died at the scene, police said.

There are 3,800 level crossings in New South Wales. From July 2001 until July last year there have been 134 collisions between trains and road vehicles at level crossings in NSW. To have two in  five days in the same region is unique, and to have 3 in two states in the same period of time is even more unique.

“Drivers should always exercise caution at level crossings as a moment’s distraction or recklessness can cost lives,” Centre for Road Safety Executive Director Bernard Carlon saids earlier this year. 

“Failing to stop at a level crossing or queuing across a railway line can have devastating consequences,” he added.

Assistant Commissioner Michael Corboy from the Traffic and Highway Patrol Command said: “We still see a disappointing number of drivers ignoring safety warnings and controls at NSW level crossings. All motorists should slow down when they approach level crossings, so they can stop if necessary.”