Melb man follows GPS onto train tracks, watches car get hit
A Melbourne driver has had a lucky escape after following his GPS onto train tracks, jumping out of the car moments before it was hit by an oncoming train.
The 25-year-old man turned onto the tracks in Coburg on Wednesday night and became stuck after trying to reverse, police say.
A Melbourne man followed his GPS onto train tracks. Photo: 7 News
The driver, from Deer Park in the city's west, managed to leap out of the car moments before it was hit by a train and dragged 15 metres.
Local resident Robert ran out after he heard a loud bang and went over to help the man who was "quite shaken up".
The driver managed to leap out of the car before it was hit by a train. Photo: 7 News
"Luckily he'd gotten out in time and he was on the phone to triple-0 and watched his own car get hit," Robert told ABC News.
There were 13 passengers on the train at the time, none of which were hurt.
The crash closed the boom gates on Bell Street for some time.
A local resident said the driver was quite shaken up after watching his car get smashed by a train. Photo: 7 News
It's the second time a car has been directed by a GPS to drive onto the tracks at the O'Hea Street level crossing, with a car turning onto the tracks and becoming stuck in 2014.
Car hit by train in Melbourne's west
Earlier this year a man also made a remarkable escape.
The incident has caused long delays for traffic on Bell Street, and Metro Trains says buses are replacing trains while crews clear the scene.
A Melbourne train struck another on a track which is notorious for crashes.
The man left with only minor injuries.
