A Northern Territory driver had an incredibly lucky escape after his 4WD become stuck on a railway track and was crushed by a fully-laden freight train.
Police say the 23-year-old motorist abandoned his Toyota Hilux after it got caught on the Adelaide to Darwin line just north of Katherine. There is no designated rail crossing at the spot. The man was apparently following a friend in another four-wheel drive through bushland when the pair attempted to cross the line. The incident happened in the early hours of the morning.
“Despite attempting to warn the oncoming train with torches, the fully loaded train was unable to stop in time and has crashed into the vehicle before dragging it approximately 500 metres,” said Katherine Police Commander, Bruce Porter.“It is very fortunate in this instance that no one was seriously injured or killed.”
The kilometre-long train was travelling at approximately 80km/h when it struck the 4WD. It eventually came to a stop on a bridge.
No one was injured during the incident, but the train driver was taken to Katherine Hospital suffering from shock.
The ABC reports that the two 4WDers, who are understood to be Katherine locals, are likely to face a number of charges over the incident.
“Railway tracks should only be crossed at designated crossing areas and with extreme caution at all times when doing so,” said Commander Porter.
23 years old? I’m not sure this is “Nomad” worthy news. Let’s keep things ‘on topic’ otherwise we run the risk of getting other rubbish news stories of no specificor particular interest to those that come to this site.
While John has a valid point I think there is a lesson to be learned here and age is irrelevant.