Northern Ireland: Graphic level crossing crash staged

[John Ashworth]

Graphic crash staged after 'near misses'

Published Monday, 20 August 2012
UTV

A graphic re-enactment of a train crash has been staged by Translink, to remind pedestrians and motorists of the potentially fatal consequences of misusing railway crossings.

Over the past year, an average of 10 incidents have been recorded at public crossings per month. Almost 160 prosecutions have been made - 91 of them related to safety.

Children playing on railway lines has become an increased problem over the summer months, with more than 110 incidents across Northern Ireland in July and August alone.

"The rules are simple," Ian Campbell, Head of Rail Operations at Translink, said.

"Don't use the tracks as a shortcut; on the platform, always wait behind the yellow line; never mess around near the tracks; use railway crossings safely; and motorists should never be tempted to jump the lights or beat the barriers at railway crossings.

"We have been running our 'Deadline' rail safety campaign all summer to reinforce these messages."

Monday's exercise at Sheep Pen level crossing in Antrim was also organised as valuable training for the emergency services.

Group Commander Paul Coyle from the Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service said: "Our role when we attend emergency incidents at level crossings is to stabilise vehicles and rescue people trapped as quickly as possible so that they can receive medical attention.

"The training exercise not only helps test our emergency response to such incidents, but is a stark reminder for the public of the consequences of a moment's lapse in concentration or taking unnecessary risks on our roads."

For safety reasons, CCTV is in operation at stations, railway crossings and on all trains.

Translink is reminding the public that they monitor inappropriate behaviour and prosecute anyone caught damaging property, trespassing or endangering others.

The company has released footage of some near misses at rail crossings as a warning to others.


CCTV shows public risking death at level crossings

By Lesley-Anne McKeown
Tuesday, 21 August 2012
Belfast Telegraph

Up to 10 people every month are dicing with death by misusing railway crossings, according to Translink.

The revelation comes as NI Railways released shocking CCTV footage of near misses.

In one clip a motorist can be seen parked on a level crossing as the safety barriers come down. The driver narrowly manages to escape before the train comes into view. In another incident a pedestrian scales the safety barrier and runs across the track as a train approaches.

Over the past year NIR said it has brought 160 prosecutions — 91 safety related.

The CCTV footage was released as Translink staged a graphic reconstruction of a collision on a railway line to highlight the potentially fatal consequences of trespass on or near tracks. It took place at Sheep Pen — a private crossing in Antrim — and was run as a training exercise for emergency services.

Translink’s Ian Campbell said: “The exercise in Antrim is a vivid reminder of Translink’s and the emergency services role in protecting and ensuring safe journeys for all passengers, pedestrians and motorists.”