Tourists tempting fate by walking on rail overbridge
WAITAKI Mayor Gary Kircher and KiwiRail are calling for tourists to take more care around railway tracks at the southern end of Oamaru’s main street.
Tourists tempting fate by wandering along the railway overbridge between Humber St and Thames St have become a common sight in recent times.
Mr Kircher said the Waitaki District Council was concerned about the danger tourists were putting themselves in by walking on the bridge.
‘‘This is an issue for KiwiRail and it is something they do need to be aware of,’’ he said.
‘‘The solution needs to come from them, and as long as they have a reasonable response, we will be supportive.’’
He believed people were ven turing on to the tracks because they wanted to get a ‘‘photo with a difference’’, Mr Kircher said.
‘‘Whether they believe there won’t be a train coming along while they are there, or that they can get out of the way in time, I don’t know. It is a real risk when they go too far along the track that they won’t be able to get out of the way.’’
KiwiRail zero harm general manager Katie McMahon, said she was concerned about the potential danger people were putting themselves into by walking on the bridge.
‘‘Trains are fast, heavy, and cannot stop easily,’’ she said.
‘‘The escape options for people caught on rail bridges by trains are even more limited.’’
Walking on rail bridges or any other part of the rail corridor was illegal without proper per mission and safety equipment.
KiwiRail had ongoing issues with people trespassing on its rail bridges across the country.
In the past five years, KiwiRail had only received one report of a person walking on to the Oamaru bridge. The person was not identified as a tourist.
Following an inquiry made to KiwiRail about recurring incidents on the bridge, an investigation had been started.
‘‘We have asked our teams to look into this issue and investigate what further measures could be put in place to deter this behaviour.’’
About 40 train services pass through Oamaru every week. — Oamaru Mail