Crossing not unsafe: FMG
Fortescue Metals Group has denied its Great Northern Highway railway crossing is unsafe despite a second collision in the past six months.
A truck was struck by an FMG locomotive at the level crossing about 5.15pm last Monday.
The truck driver, a 49-year-old Queensland man, suffered minor cuts and bruising and was taken to Hedland Health Campus as a precaution following the incident.
The collision occurred despite the level crossing’s flashing lights and boom gate being in operation.
South Hedland police Senior Constable Ray Kidd said interviews with the truck driver revealed the setting sun may have played a part in the incident.
“Being late in the afternoon, he said the sun was shining of the lens of the flashing light so he couldn’t actually see they were flashing until he got quite close,” Sen Const. Kidd said. “He has taken out the boom gate and some of the infrastructure associated with it … the front right corner of his truck has collided with the right hand side of the second loco.”
In May, a triple road train collided with the front end of an FMG locomotive as it passed the level crossing at a similar time of day, causing an estimated $200,000 worth of damage.
Sen. Const. Kidd said FMG could look at installing LEDs or shielding to assist motorists at sunset but a Fortescue spokeswoman said the level crossing was perfectly safe.
“This rail crossing and the associated signalling equipment is compliant with all relevant standards, legalisation and practices,” the spokeswoman said.
Sen. Const. Kidd said the truck driver was fined $200 and docked four demerit points for failing to give way at a level crossing.
