Elderly Woman Struck By A Train While Driving To The Hospital

Posted on November 26, 2008 at 9:44 AM

A seventy seven year old grandmother crashed with the Ghan train at a railroad/highway crossing in Alice Springs while she was on her way to the hospital. Gwen Rogers was driving at the Ilparpa Road, when the train horn blew, it was too late and the crash occurred.

Grandma was fortunately uninjured but was shocked with the accident. She said that she looked one way and then looked the other way, then she heard the train horn.

The town's train officials stated that the Ghan train was travelling at forty seven kilometers per hour when the accident happened but the the town's speed limit is only forty kilometers per hour.

The safety issue at the Ilparpa road crossing has been raised previously. Justice Chris Burns has been taking complaints from residents and motorists over the railroad/highway crossing since 2004. Jodeen Carney, County Liberals MLA for Araluen, said that she has been raising this issue in the Parliament since 2004. 

People are calling for an action to make the railroad crossing highway safer for motorists. The level crossing at Ilparpa has installed warning signs; but a boom gate, lights and bells must be put up to increase the safety.