Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

don't do this

Pictures: This is why level crossing gates exist...

Fortunately the car’s driver wasn’t seriously hurt. Turns out those gates are there for a reason people.

train RAIU RAIU

THIS IS WHAT happens when cars and trains collide, and it isn’t pretty.

The photo shows the aftermath of a car driving through a level crossing near Castlebar, Co Mayo. The only problem was the 15.35 Dublin-Westport train that was moving through the crossing at the same time.

Accident location RAIU RAIU

levelc RAIU RAIU

The accident happened in June 2014 and is the subject of an impressively detailed report on the part of the Railway Accident Investigation Unit of the Department of Transport.

It seems that the locals around the level crossing at Knockaphunta had been in the habit of leaving the gates guarding the tracks up at all times for ease of access.

trainbang3

carwreck RAIU RAIU

trainsore RAIU RAIU

Well, as the saying goes it’s all fun and games until someone drives their Toyota Auris through a level crossing without stopping or checking to see if there’s a train coming.

All’s well that ends well though – the driver was fine (somehow) and now the situation has been resolved… by, erm, putting in a new stop line.

new stop RAIU RAIU

Still, you would imagine there’s at least one more driver out there who’ll be taking the Rail Cross Code seriously from now on.

RCC RAIU RAIU

have you Wise words RAIU RAIU

Read: Drivers beware: The first automated ‘red light camera’ goes live today

Read: ‘Drunk Irishman’ goes for a sleep on Berlin railway tracks, wakes up to massive bill

Your Voice
Readers Comments
20
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.