Kiwi Rail says a Reefton woman who escaped unharmed when her
car was struck by a train is "extremely lucky" to have
survived.
Early news reports suggested that the woman had managed to
get out of the vehicle before the impact, about 8.30
yesterday.
But it has since been revealed that she was still strapped
into the driver's seat when the train came to rest, the
collision causing the back of the seat to smash and collapse
into the rear of the car.
Constable Mark Watson of the Reefton police said it appeared
the woman had failed to notice the train when traversing the
private crossing from a farm to State Highway 69, near
Larry's Creek, about 15km north of Reefton.
KiwiRail spokeswoman Jenni Austin said the incident served as
a timely warning to motorists.
"All motorists should regard rail crossings as the same as
any other intersection and stop and make sure the way is
clear before proceeding."
Ms Austin could not say how fast the empty coal train was
going at the time of the crash, but they generally travelled
about 80kph.
- By Tui Bromley of the Greymouth Star
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