The twisted remains of the Toyota van in which an elderly couple was killed.Picture: MICHAEL MILNES
November 17, 2007
MICHAEL OWEN, JILL PENGELLEY, MICHAEL MILNES
The Advertiser (Adelaide, Australia)
A TRAIN crossing where two people died north of Adelaide yesterday was classed a low priority for a safety upgrade by the State Government just a year ago.
An elderly couple from Adelaide's western suburbs was killed yesterday morning when their van collided with a goods train at a notorious level crossing on Moloney Rd at Virginia.
The couple, who arrived in Australia from Cambodia in the mid-1980s, was believed to be on a visit to friends at Virginia when the accident occurred.
A similar, but non-fatal, incident occurred at the crossing in October last year and residents and Country Fire Service officers raised concerns about the intersection.
There have been at least three serious accidents at the site during the past three years, although none was fatal.
No lights are fitted at the crossing, where motorists are warned of the danger only by signs.
In an emailed statement yesterday, Transport Department spokesman Ross Stargatt said the Transport Services Division's Level Crossing Unit had undertaken a risk assessment of the site late last year.
The assessment considers factors such as sight distances, pavement marking, advance warning signage and road speeds, he said.
"Using that model, the crossing is not listed as a high-priority location for treatment," he said.
"It is worth noting the rail line is the responsibility of the Australian Rail Track Corporation, while Moloney Rd is the responsibility of the Playford Council."
Transport Minister Patrick Conlon's media adviser, Matt Clemow, said level crossings were the responsibility of Road Safety Minister Carmel Zollo, but her media adviser, Astra Dadzis, said it would be inappropriate for the minister to discuss the matter.
In an emailed statement later, Ms Zollo said: "There has been no recommendation from the Transport Department in my time as Road Safety Minister to upgrade this crossing."
Acting Superintendent Kym Zander said police believed the car was travelling at considerable speed when it hit the train.
"Even though there are open paddocks each side of the crossing and stop signs, for some reason someone has made a tragic decision with tragic consequences", Mr Zander said.
Opposition road safety spokesman Stephen Wade said the Government had "failed to take leadership" on level crossing safety.
"The Government is not taking the issue seriously," Mr Wade said.
Acting Superintendent Zander yesterday described the accident scene as "horrific".
The engine of the northbound train took about 1.5km to stop after the initial collision.
An elderly couple from Adelaide's western suburbs was killed yesterday morning when their van collided with a goods train at a notorious level crossing on Moloney Rd at Virginia.
The couple, who arrived in Australia from Cambodia in the mid-1980s, was believed to be on a visit to friends at Virginia when the accident occurred.
A similar, but non-fatal, incident occurred at the crossing in October last year and residents and Country Fire Service officers raised concerns about the intersection.
There have been at least three serious accidents at the site during the past three years, although none was fatal.
No lights are fitted at the crossing, where motorists are warned of the danger only by signs.
In an emailed statement yesterday, Transport Department spokesman Ross Stargatt said the Transport Services Division's Level Crossing Unit had undertaken a risk assessment of the site late last year.
The assessment considers factors such as sight distances, pavement marking, advance warning signage and road speeds, he said.
"Using that model, the crossing is not listed as a high-priority location for treatment," he said.
"It is worth noting the rail line is the responsibility of the Australian Rail Track Corporation, while Moloney Rd is the responsibility of the Playford Council."
Transport Minister Patrick Conlon's media adviser, Matt Clemow, said level crossings were the responsibility of Road Safety Minister Carmel Zollo, but her media adviser, Astra Dadzis, said it would be inappropriate for the minister to discuss the matter.
In an emailed statement later, Ms Zollo said: "There has been no recommendation from the Transport Department in my time as Road Safety Minister to upgrade this crossing."
Acting Superintendent Kym Zander said police believed the car was travelling at considerable speed when it hit the train.
"Even though there are open paddocks each side of the crossing and stop signs, for some reason someone has made a tragic decision with tragic consequences", Mr Zander said.
Opposition road safety spokesman Stephen Wade said the Government had "failed to take leadership" on level crossing safety.
"The Government is not taking the issue seriously," Mr Wade said.
Acting Superintendent Zander yesterday described the accident scene as "horrific".
The engine of the northbound train took about 1.5km to stop after the initial collision.
1 comment:
Sounds like a clear case of State corruption to me where money is misappropriated.
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