DC4185 light locomotive and private car collision, Egmont Tanneries private level crossing, 164.14 km Marton - New Plymouth Line, 19 September 2001
Status
Closed
Occurrence Date
Report Publication Date
Jurisdiction
NZ
Legacy Inquiry Number
01-113
On Wednesday 19 September 2001, at about 0705, a collision occurred between a light locomotive and a private motorcar at Egmont Tanneries Ltd private level crossing between Stratford and Inglewood on the Marton to New Plymouth Line. The motor vehicle had made a right-hand turn from State Highway 3 which ran parallel to the railway line and entered the unprotected level crossing immediately in front of the approaching locomotive.
The locomotive engineer was the only crew on the locomotive and was not injured but the car driver, who was the sole occupant of the car, received fatal injuries.
The collision was caused by the failure of the car driver to see and give way to the approaching locomotive at the level crossing.
The safety issues identified included:
· the lack of appropriate warning signage at the level crossing
· the use of the level crossing for purposes outside the deed of grant
· the restricted views at the level crossing
Two safety recommendations were made to the operator.
The locomotive engineer was the only crew on the locomotive and was not injured but the car driver, who was the sole occupant of the car, received fatal injuries.
The collision was caused by the failure of the car driver to see and give way to the approaching locomotive at the level crossing.
The safety issues identified included:
· the lack of appropriate warning signage at the level crossing
· the use of the level crossing for purposes outside the deed of grant
· the restricted views at the level crossing
Two safety recommendations were made to the operator.
Location
Stratford (-39.321685,174.277842) [may be approximate]