Redmond locals call for 'horrible' train crossing's safety upgrades after death of 29yo woman

Australia Broadcast Center

3 days ago

Residents of a small town in Western Australia's south have called for improvements to rail safety at level crossings in the country after a woman was killed in a collision with a freight train.
The 29-year-old woman was a passenger in a car that collided with a CBH grain train yesterday in the county town of Redmond, 400 kilometres south of Perth.
A 39-year-old male driver and three children travelling in the vehicle suffered minor injuries.
Resident Carly Pateman-Baker, who lives 50 metres from the train line, said the level crossing in Redmond was notorious for dangerous driving.
"It's quiet out here, but there's quite a bit of traffic and nobody ever stops. [They do] a quick slowdown to look both ways and then keep going."
Ms Pateman-Baker, who moved to Redmond about a year ago, said train drivers often sounded their horns when passing through the town to warn drivers off the crossing.
"There are others that will sound it a few times before they hit the [crossing], and then they'll hit it again as they're leaving."
Ms Pateman-Baker, who can feel the vibrations of trains before they reach the town centre, said there was a disparity in infrastructure across regional and built-up areas.
"Normal train lines either have warning lights when the train's coming or the barrier that comes down moments before a train is even close to the [crossing]," she said.
"[We need] something like that, especially for myself and my sister. We have three kids each so we always have cars full of kids."
Aurizon, which operates CBH Group's grain haulage in WA, said none of their train crew were physically injured but were "very shaken" by the incident.
A spokesperson for the company extended their condolences to the family and friends of the deceased.
"This incident will be felt deeply by the local community, including our train drivers and employees who live and work locally," the statement read.
Independent transport researcher Brett Hughes said about 80 per cent of rail crossings in Australia did not include lights or gates.
Dr Hughes said while drivers had a responsibility to drive safely, self-managed or "passive crossing" presented a complex problem.
"People underestimate the distance to a train and … underestimate the speed.
"Most of us make mistakes from time to time and unfortunately it's just awful if that's a deadly mistake."
Dr Hughes said a greater focus on rail safety was needed in regional areas.
"We need to make sure that all the signage is the best possible and we need to make sure that people understand the hazards at level crossings."
Ms Pateman-Baker said there had been an outpouring of sadness in the community for the family affected by the collision.
"As a mum with kids between the ages of 12 and one I feel for the three children who were in that vehicle," she said.
"That would scar them for life."