What about the b***dy train crew?!

[mk@netstra.com.au (Michael Kurkowski)]

>From http://news.mcmedia.com.au/articles.pl?TakeNo=200005012052794

|By
|Elisabeth Dunne
|
|A Colac truck driver had a miraculous escape when his truck hit by a 
|freight train near Tongala last night.

So what about the poor loco crew? They didn't cause the accident, did they?

|Four carriages and two engines were derailed in the smash and the truck's 
|goods were strewn hundreds of metres across the road.

What's the validity of this? Is it likely that the G will re-enter service, 
the X would I would imagine.

|As the truck driver approached the Curr Rd crossing he heard a horn 
|sounding and then saw the light of the train bearing down on him.

Yes, there is a level crossing there. One would normally slow down for one 
of them.

|Stephen Robinson, 35, realised he could not brake in time so he veered to 
|the right and accelerated to get across the track before the train ran him 
|down.
|
|The train rammed into the back of Mr Robinson's cabin and catapulted him 
|50 m north along the road. But his trailer was ploughed down and 
|destroyed.
|
|Police and emergency services have dubbed Mr Robinson a `miracle man'. 

He is the miracle man, yet he is the one who allegedly caused the accident. 
Show me the logic in that. I'm sure the loco crew are only human too, Don't 
they deserve a mention?

| He walked away from the smash with barely a scratch.
|
|
|One train driver was uninjured but a second driver was taken to Kyabram 
|hospital with minor injuries and shock.

Great, if the inquiry proves that he was in the wrong by driving out in 
front of the train

|As Mr Robinson spoke to The News of his amazing escape last night he 
|started to reveal the first signs of shock. 
|
|"I've got a wife and three kids and I just rang them. My wife started 
|crying,"Mr Robinson said.
|
|"She asked me why I kept driving . . . it's just all started to hit me 
|now."
|
|"I just couldn't see the train through the trees and the fog."

Why was he going too fast for the conditions then? Common sense says, if 
there are many trees and fog, you slow down so you have a safe stopping 
distance

|Mr Robinson had spent yesterday at his parents' Stanhope home before 
|starting his trip to Brisbane about 8.20 pm. Ten minutes later he stared 
|death in the face and survived.
|
|The loaded V/Line freight train carrying grain had just left Echuca when 
|the accident happened south east of Tongala.

V/Line run Passenger trains, Freight Australia run grain trains. Wish the 
media would get their facts right.

|Two engines and four carriages were destroyed in the smash. Police and 
|emergency crews from the Kyabram and Tongala areas remained at the scene 
|until rail inspectors arrived about 11 pm. 
|
|The accident scene was cordoned off and traffic diverted.
|
|The massive task of clearing the accident scene was due to start at first 
|light this morning.
|
|Kyabram police chief Sen-Sgt Mel Davey said the damage bill was expected 
|to run into millions of dollars. 
 
Which, if the inquiry proves was the fault of the truck driver, he should 
pay for the lot, and lose his truck licence permanently.

Apologies for offending anyone with my critical response, but the crud I 
read makes me feel sick.

Who else would agree?

Regards

Michael