Vlaeberg Road level crossing accident

[Marius Avenant]

I see in Die Burger today - 16/12/2008 - that a train hit a Yaris which tried to slip over the level crossing in front of the oncoming train. This happened at the level crossing on the Vlaeberg road near Lynedoch outside. Stellenbosch. A single line level crossing which I use almost daily, and which has a clear view n both directions.

The report that a person who was doing tiling at a nearby house stated that the train's siren was quite clear, and the red lights were functioning.

Funny thing is that the occupants got out - only the rear was demolished - and the driver (male) offered his passenger (female) some cash "to make herself scarce!! Bystanders convinced her to stay for treatment.

Low cost service provider perhaps? ;)

The complete article and a photos is available at
http://www.dieburger.com/Stories/News/1 ... 82708.aspx

[Barend Botha]

Its (was)a Toyota Corolla not a Yaris.

[Marius Avenant]

I just had a look back at the photo and I bow before your superior knowledge :)

Besides, in my mind if it doesn't have a blue oval badge saying "Ford", the pedigree is not important :))

[Kevin Wilson-Smith]

Have you seen a Ford lately?

[Marius Avenant]

O Yeah!

Driving one - 28 years old and still going strong (the Ford, not me)

Seriously though, this event at the level crossing is so unnecessary, the view there is not restricted, and those lights are quite visible. I've stopped there many a time when the lights are flashing, and then some low-life comes from behind, driving past me, and slip through at the last moment. It shouldn't even be called accidents - they are incidents or events.

One can only speculate about the frame of mind of some people.

Being an ex-Blompot and ex-TPA Knight of the Highways :), I've been to many such scenes
and my respect for Railway Steel is unmeasurable - especially at speed. Unstoppable force meeting very movable object!!

[Kevin Wilson-Smith]

Ah well - it seems it happens all over.

My main interest is the USA railway scene - and every month there are generally cases of people driving around the barriers which are down (along with flashing lights and bells) only to get taken out by what are generally very slow moving trains.

Have also seen some interesting pics of people driving over a crossing with the front of the train, maybe some 20 feet away!

Probably people do not realise a train cannot just stop.....................

[Mike Haslam]

Kevin, only a few days ago, I drove up towards a level crossing which is located across a road which leads to traffic lights at a road junction. The level crossing has lights, but no barriers. I could not believe that some person had stopped his car in the traffic queue right on the lines. Me (I know about the unstoppable object), I would definitely leave a healthy gap for the freight train to go through!!

For interest, this line sees both passenger and freight traffic. I quite often see the "daily Amtrak" on its way to New York and there are some pretty heavy diesels pulling long lines of limestone trucks. I will have to get some pictures for you.

Turtle.

[Kevin Wilson-Smith]

Hello Mike!

Pics would be welcome - I envy you there!

My staple fare (when I can afford them) are Pentrex DVD's which drives the family and neighbors mad as the engines constantly hoot at the photographers - and make a large din! And Classic Trains. And Trains. And Railfan.......!

[Mike Haslam]

Speaking of the locomotives hooting....

Quite often, in the movies and on TV, when it's a night scene, you here the distant sound of a locomotive hooting. Here, where I am living I here it frequently, also at night. It is no longer a TV artifact but a real part of my life now. Similarly, I told you about the level crossing. Well there are several of them, one after another and as the trains leave town, much hooting takes place. I can tell you how much it pulls me to rush down and see them... but you understand anyway.

Turtle