Fatal rail smash crossing needed boom gates: union
Posted
The electronic data from a signal box at the crossing was examined and QR found no problems. (ABC TV News)
The Rail, Tram and Bus Union says a level crossing in north Queensland where two train drivers were killed should have had boom gates.
The men died when the high-speed tilt train they were driving hit a semi-trailer at a crossing near Cardwell on Thursday.
The union's Owen Doogan says it has long been campaigning for boom gates at busy crossings across Queensland.
"We're very disappointed that Queensland Rail (QR) hasn't done something about that in the past," he said.
"And we'll certainly be increasing our campaign to try and get as many boom gates as possible at crossings.
"Quite frankly we're not overly impressed with Queensland Rail's attitude towards this sort of issue and attitude towards safety generally."
QR confirmed yesterday the warning lights at the level crossing were working properly when the accident happened.
The electronic data from a signal box at the crossing was examined and QR found no problems.
The union has welcomed confirmation that the lights were working.
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