2023 ends with tragedy

[aussiesteve]

G'day,
An horrific level crossing collision occurred just inside the South Australian border with NSW on New Years eve morning.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-12-...rder/103275502
The westbound Pacific National train colliding with a truck laden with avocados on the level crossing of the Barrier Highway.
The two train crew were killed, but the truck driver survived.
The location given is Bindarrah, which is the name of a nearby property.
This level crossing being on the section of line between Mingary and Olary.
The train crew being from Port Augusta were working home from Broken Hill.
Yet another of these STUPID parallel highway swerving to cross the railway type.
One must ask why a 75 year old was driving a big rig.
The train being the usual monster with double stacker boxes.
It is a huge mess of piled up boxes and wagons.
I am wondering if our respective rail regulators might consider the positioning of double stackers behind the locos.
A sad way to end 2023.
Steve.

[27vet]

This was truly a horrible smash mate. I bet it cost more money than it would have to put a bridge or tunnel there, although I see that farm roads also cross the tracks at various intervals.
Another thing they can do is make sure an emergency telephone number is displayed on sign boards at all level crossings so that if a vehicle gets stuck on the tracks, the driver can call the number and warn the authorities who in turn will shut down the route. I'm sure this is possible with today's technology.

[aussiesteve]

I drove through this level crossing on my big bitumen bash back in february. There was a westbound train that I had got ahead of and was gunna stop to take a photo at the crossing. But, workers were still digging in the dirt and I was told to piss off when I stopped. The curve is broad on approach to the crossing, but advance warning lights exist to warn motorists when the protection is operating. No booms, but easy to espy lights and bells at the crossing. The ATSB prelim report is published and I am gobsmacked by the speed indicated for the truck being around 90 kph. He had dash cam which recorded distinctly the advance and protection working.
https://www.atsb.gov.au/publications...rt/ro-2023-009