Kids on train tracks and vehicle collisions spark warning on north Qld cane rail

North Queensland's Wilmar sugar mill reports a surge in accidents and near misses on its cane railway systems, prompting warnings to parents and children to avoid railway lines during upcoming school holidays. Farmers argue such incidents can severely disrupt harvests. Multiple crashes and near misses at sugarcane train crossings have prompted industry calls for motorists to respect signage in sugar-producing regions.

Over the past six weeks, Wilmar Sugar has documented numerous incidents involving boom gates being destroyed, give-way signs flattened, and trains derailed, resulting in thousands of dollars in damage. General Manager of Cane Supply and Grower Relations, David Zeller, notes that these crashes have involved both industry members and the public, including children.

Incidents have increased recently, with one near Sarina, 30km south of Mackay, where a vehicle towing a caravan ran through a boom gate as a train approached. Zeller praises the fortunate escape of the train from a potential collision. Another incident occurred near Ingham, 100km north of Townsville, after a tractor caused a train to derail, tipping the tractor and derailing the train.

In the Burdekin region, Wilmar captured footage of children riding motorbikes on the tracks. Glenn Betteridge, chair of Canegrowers Burdekin, emphasizes that train drivers are community members who should not face unsafe conditions, and their children and grandchildren could be at risk. Train shutdowns due to incidents can cause significant delays for farmers, with closures lasting several days depending on the severity, impacting growers reliant on those lines for cane deliveries.

Zeller stresses vigilance at cane train crossings, noting trains operate 24/7 and cannot stop quickly, requiring up to a kilometre to halt completely. He urges adherence to signage and giving way to locomotives.