A truck driver has narrowly avoided being ploughed into by a train following a terrifyingly close call at a level crossing in Tasmania’s north-west.
The near-miss incident was captured on CCTV from inside the locomotive as it travelled towards Burnie on the Western Line on a recent rainy day.
The train was crossing Reibey Street in Ulverstone when the incident occurred, with TasRail sharing footage of the close call on social media with a message of frustration.
“Wet weather… Middle of a town… Other road users in sight…” they wrote.
“Level crossing lights clearly flashing… Seriously, what’s it going to take people? Stop. Look. Listen. Think.”
According to TasRail’s latest annual report, eight collisions and 311 near misses at level crossings were recorded between July 2018 and June 2024.
“Each incident affects not only those directly involved, but also train drivers and their families, other railway employees and emergency services,” the report states.
“Despite our efforts, the 2023-24 reporting period revealed some disappointing trends.”
The report also highlights two serious collisions in the last year, one in Westbury in April and another in Spreyton in May.
“Both collisions were a result of very poor choices by road users,” TasRail said.
“Reports of level crossing failure to stop or give way by road users nearly doubled, rising from 39 in 2022-23 to 68.”
“Notably, the northern region saw a dramatic increase in incidents, with 20 cases reported compared to just four the previous year.”
“The north-west, historically the most problematic area, also experienced a rise from 31 to 42 incidents.”
