Accident investigation into train hitting jeep begun

Date: 4/9/2012

An investigation has been launched into an incident where a train hit a jeep at a level crossing in Ireland last night.

The Limerick bound train collided with the vehicle at approximately 8pm at Cappadine near Birdhill in an accident which has left one woman in hospital.

Irish rail company Iarnrod Eireann confirmed that there were ten passengers on board the train at the time and none of these were injured.

The woman who was taken to hospital was the driver of the Jeep and is being treated for shock after the incident.

She was the sole occupant of the car, which ended up on the tracks as the train approached and has been identified only as a woman in her 60s.

Her escape has been described as very lucky after the vehicle was spun around by the passing train as opposed to be crushed.

Jane Cregan, a spokeswoman for Iarnrod Eireann, said: "The driver of the car was taken to hosiptal, there were eight passengers on board [the train] the at the time as well as the driver and a travelling ticket checker."

A joint investigation between Iarnrod Eireann and the Rail Accident Investigation Unit has been launched into the collision which occurred between the Ballybrophy and Colbert stations.

Ms Cregan said: "None of people on board the trian suffered any injuries and they were removed from the scene by bus."

The exact circumstances of the incident are not yet clear, but Translink recently revealed that there are approximately ten incidents involving level crossings and road vehicles each month.

Ian Campbell of Translink said: "Our trains travel at speeds over 90mph, they weigh between 150 and 300 tonnes and some of our trains take over a mile to stop at those speeds."

Many level crossings are equipped with barriers, but not all of them, and it is important that people pay attention to the lights and wait for trains to pass in order to cross safely.

Posted by Mary Treen

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