Risky selfies force closure
Tourists playing Russian roulette by attempting to capture images of stunning South Island scenery aboard the Coastal Pacific train have forced the closure of its outdoor viewing carriages.
The 350km route between Picton and Christchurch is one of KiwiRail’s Great Journeys of New Zealand scenic rail services, with the sea stretching to the horizon in the east and the Kaikoura mountains reaching to the sky in the west.
However the desire to lean out of the carriage to snap a selfie was putting lives in danger, KiwiRail group general manager of zero harm Katie McMahon said.
The phenomenon is not new. Between October 2011 and November 2017 there were 259 selfierelated deaths world-wide and snap-happy photographers have been blamed for damaging fragile wetlands on Mt Taranaki.
While the carriages had been in use for the past 10 years, a recent review revealed an increasing number of passengers putting themselves and others in danger by leaning out of the carriage to take photographs, she said.
‘‘Despite the number of signs and announcements on board our trains pointing out the dangers of this, we have seen passengers leaning out with selfie sticks, iPads and their bodies, often unaware of an approaching tunnel which could cause a tragic incident for themselves, and others in the carriage.’’
KiwiRail would be reviewing the design of the platforms and making any necessary upgrades and changes to ensure the safety of passengers, McMahon said.
‘‘That could be glass windows; narrow bars or an inclining barrier for people. ‘‘We simply have to stop adults and children leaning from the carriages or we would not be discharging our duty as a safe transport operator.’’
While the review was taking place the carriages would remain closed. ‘‘We hope to have a solution in place shortly that will allow the carriages to re-open safely.’’
Passengers had been advised of the closure and while some may be disappointed KiwiRail couldn’t risk a serious safety incident, she said.
Taranaki’s Allan Gargan was aboard the train last week with his wife Rosemary and when he heard about the closure he immediately knew who to blame.
‘‘I thought some idiot has done something to ruin it for everyone,’’ he said.
‘‘They said it was a health and safety thing that they had the observation car closed. It sounds like people were doing selfies with a GoPro on a stick.’’