Seven near misses on level crossings in Taranaki in past year
Thursday, 15 August 2019
A level rail crossing at Normanby, north of Hāwera, had two near misses with trains reported in the past year, Kiwi Rail says.
The two reports are among a total of seven near misses on level rail crossings in Taranaki in the past 12 months, the company says.
The locations were at Egmont Street, Normanby (twice); Standish Street, Inglewood; Manutahi Road, Lepperton; Beaconsfield Road, Midhurst; Pembroke Road, Stratford, and High Street, Hāwera.
Kiwi Rail launched a rail safety promotion warning people of the dangers of level crossings this week.
READ MORE: KiwiRail to install half crosses for near misses at level crossings
The close calls took a huge toll on train drivers and those who narrowly miss death, Kiwi Rail chief executive group Greg Miller said.
There were nearly 300 near misses last year between people, vehicles and trains at railway level crossings around the country, he said.
KiwiRail and TrackSAFE NZ are encouraging everyone to be more vigilant around railway tracks with at least one near miss on the rail network being recorded every day.
Miller said it was important to take time to check and pay careful attention to your surroundings when near trains or railway lines.
'These close calls are happening daily and they take a huge toll on our locomotive engineers and everyone involved,' he said.
'In a lot of cases people are missing death or serious injury by seconds.
'It is often just luck that they are not killed.
'Although no one gets physically hurt in a near miss, the driver, other rail staff, witnesses and, of course, the pedestrian or motorist all experience a level of trauma.'
In the 12 months to June KiwiRail reported 415 near misses recorded.
This included 299 at public level crossings, the majority of which had flashing lights, bells or barrier arms installed.
A 'near miss memorials' promotion will be in place at road and pedestrian level crossings throughout the country for Rail Safety Week.