Train driver's plea to Aussies after grim discovery: 'It's not easy'
An Australian train driver is urging motorists to show more compassion if they've struck an animal, amid a series of recent heartbreaking collisions on roads and rail lines.
Wil Kemp, who operates trains in Far North Queensland along the Gulf Savannah, spoke to Yahoo News following a recent incident where his train struck a large goanna. The animal survived the initial impact but had a badly wounded snout and was ultimately euthanised.
It's a grim task — one Wil said is sad but an unfortunate reality of the job.
"Many don't die on impact," he explained, adding that the aftermath often involves unnecessary suffering. "I couldn't let him go because he couldn't eat. He was in really good condition. Reptiles can go for a very long time without eating. So this animal would have had weeks, maybe even months, of a slow, painful death by starvation."
While wildlife collisions are often unavoidable for train drivers, Wil said it's more important than ever for motorists to take responsibility when accidents happen on the road.
"It's not easy, but stopping to check what you can do is the right thing," he said.
The incident left a lasting impression not only on Wil but on his co-driver as well.
"The last thing my co-driver wanted to do was euthanise a lizard. But she knew she'd hit it, and instead of leaving it to suffer, she chose to help. This lizard was strong — a big goanna. She held him while I put him down, and she cried. She was really, really upset. But she knew it was really important. She didn't want him to suffer a slow, painful death."
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Wil said the recent rain in Queensland has triggered more vegetation growth and, with it, increased wildlife activity. Earlier this week, his train also struck and killed a carpet python.
But he pointed out that it's not just train drivers facing this dilemma — road users have an equally important role to play. "Whether you're driving a car or whether you're driving a train, sometimes these things happen and you can't control it," he said.
"If an animal jumps out last minute or you didn't see it, you can't help it, but every action after that, you can control. You can stop that vehicle, and you can go and survey the situation. You can provide care, if you're able to, you can get it to a wildlife carer. You can put it out of its misery.
"It's something that I make sure I do, and the drivers with me, I'll make sure they do it as well."
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