Trapped Driver Faced Electrocution Or Train

Illawarra Mercury

Wednesday March 19, 2008

By MICHELLE HOCTOR

A TRUCK driver spent several terrifying minutes not knowing if he would be electrocuted or hit by a train yesterday after overhead power lines catapulted his truck backwards onto a Dapto level crossing.

The 1500-volt lines powering electric trains acted as a slingshot, catapulting the truck 6m back onto the rail line.

After several minutes stuck in the cabin, the driver walked away unhurt, but cursing himself for "stuffing up big time".

The 45-year-old man from Koonawarra, who declined to be named, was driving a small transport carrier loaded with two cars east along Bong Bong Rd about 11.30am when his truck hit the powerlines and the vehicle became caught.

"The moment I hit I knew I'd forgotten to put the Hyab (crane) down. I travelled through the crossing about 50km/h and continued until the wire stretched to its limit and pulled me backwards," he said.

This caused the line to ricochet off adjoining wires, bending the supports before hitting the rail platform and leaving scorch marks across the awning.

"There were sparks flying and the sound was terrible," one witness said.

Fortunately the driver, who previously worked as a linesman, knew to stay inside the truck until he determined there were no lines down around him.

"I felt a bit sick in the guts. There were a lot of things going through my head, whether I'd be electrocuted, hit by a train or have someone run up the back of me."

Once he determined a way clear, he jumped from the vehicle, making sure not to hold on to the cab as he earthed himself.

Police and fire brigade units were called to the scene and RailCorp personnel cut power on the electrified line between Avondale and Kembla Grange.

Dapto fire station officer Trent Lawrence used an insulated lever to unhook the line from the truck.

Mr Lawrence said the driver was lucky to escape with his life, the only thing separating him from electrocution being a set of rubber tyres. "It had the potential to be a very nasty accident," he said.

The incident caused significant delays to both road and rail traffic.

© 2008 Illawarra Mercury

Back to News Index | Back to Home