Inquiries & Recommendations

Ngā ketuketutanga me ngā tūtohunga

On 4 September 1993 a passenger excursion train (A02) collided with a four-wheel-drive vehicle on a level crossing at Taupaki. The driver, the sole occupant of the motor vehicle, was fatally injured in the collision. As the crossing was already protected by flashing lights and bells, no specific safety issues were raised.

On 25 August 1993 Train 901 - the "Southerner" passenger express - collided with a concrete mixer truck on a level crossing at Rolleston. Three passengers on the train were fatally injured and seven seriously injured. The truck driver received minor injuries.

On 11 August 1993 a child cyclist who, while chasing a departing train along the station platform at Levin, lost control of his bicycle and became wedged between the train and the platform. The safety issues identified in the investigation were the supervision of station platforms as trains depart, the need for signs warning against cycling and similar activities on station platforms, and the promulgation of the statutory Railway Regulations.

On 4 August 1993 a fatal injury was sustained by a pedestrian when he was struck by a light locomotive, L13 Shunt Service, operated by New Zealand Rail Limited near Ellerslie Station. The safety issue identified in this report is the increase in risk to pedestrians trespassing on the railway, resulting from improved track, suspension, and engine silencing in contemporary railway operation.

[A preliminary investigation showed that the circumstances were not likely to have significant implications for transport safety. Consistent with section 13 of the TAIC Act the Commission discontinued the investigation and no report was published.]

On 19 July 1993 Train 141 collided with a motor vehicle at a level crossing at Te Hana, Northland. The crossing was protected by flashing lights and bells, which were confirmed to be operating at the time of the accident. The driver of the motor vehicle was killed in the collision and his passenger sustained serious injuries. A safety issue identified during the investigation was the restricted view of the road to the east of the crossing, which could have been a significant distraction for the driver as he emerged from a gateway adjacent to the crossing.

On 8 July 1993 a shunting locomotive collided with a pedestrian who was walking along the tracks. No specific safety issues have been identified from the circumstances of this accident.

[A preliminary investigation showed that the circumstances were not likely to have significant implications for transport safety. Consistent with section 13 of the TAIC Act the Commission discontinued the investigation and no report was published.]

On 10 June 1993 as the train approached Naenae Station at about 60 km/h, a man was seen running across the tracks. He was fatally injured when struck by the train.

On 28 May 1993 a train collided with a motor vehicle on a level crossing near Levin. The driver, the sole occupant of the motor vehicle, was seriously injured. Safety issues discussed in the report are design criteria for level crossings adjacent to main road intersections and the display of warnings to motorists following the disablement of crossing warning devices.

On 22 May 1993 as the southbound express freight train from Westfield to Wellington rounded a bend near Taumarunui at dusk, the driver sighted a pedestrian on the tracks. The pedestrian lost his life when he was struck by the train.

[Investigated on behalf of the Government of Fiji. Direct any inquiries for copy of the report to the Minister of Transport of that State]