Smash sparks inquiry

RAIL crossings across Cairns are being assessed for possible safety upgrades in the wake of another collision between the Kuranda Scenic Railway train and a motorist at Edge Hill.

A 50-year-old Yorkeys Knob man suffered minor facial injuries after his Honda Accord, travelling towards Sheridan St, ran into the train at the Collins Ave level crossing at 9.42am yesterday.

He was transported by ambulance to Cairns Hospital, where he remained in a stable condition.

Emergency services workers and train passengers told of their amazement that the man was not seriously injured, considering the wrecked vehicle left by the side of the rail tracks.

Acting Senior Sergeant Michele Rix said the car had rolled twice before landing on its side.

“He’s extremely lucky,” she said. She said police were still investigating the cause of the crash, but warned motorists to always slow down when approaching crossings.

“It is sometimes hard to see the lights when it’s a sunny day,” she said. “But just take precautions, slow down.

“The train’s usually blowing a whistle and you can usually see the train if you look both ways.”

There were 109 passengers aboard the train bound for Kuranda, a majority of them international tourists.

They were all ferried to Kuranda via bus, shortly after the crash.

Among them was British tourist Mandy Roberts, who was in disbelief that anyone could have survived the accident.

“We knew something was wrong because we felt the driver slam the brakes on,” she said. “We thought something or someone was on the track.

“Looking at the wreckage now, it’s unbelievable that someone survived that.”

It was the second collision between a train and car at the Collins Ave crossing in less than a month.

Queensland Rail executive Martin Ryan said the crossing was fitted with flashing lights, and had warning signs on all its approaches.

However, he said the department would undertake investigations and discussions with local stakeholders about improving rail crossing safety across Cairns.

“Queensland Rail is committed to ensuring safety at railway crossings across the state,” he said.