Northen Ireland: More crazy motorists

Tonymercury · Posted: Thu May 05, 2005 7:15 am

Mirror.co.UK

4 May 2005

RAILY STUPID

3 quizzed after thugs leave car on level crossing
By Stewart Maclean

THREE people were being questioned last night after a car left on
rail tracks caused a serious train smash.

Two men and a woman were arrested for attempted murder over the
incident after a late-night Monday train hit a Vauxhall Astra parked
on a level crossing near Dunloy village in Co Antrim.

The train's driver was hailed a hero after averting a disaster and
preventing any injuries in the dangerous smash.

Experts said the smash could have killed dozens of people on board
the high-speed train.

But the driver's quick thinking meant he managed to keep the train on
the line even though it struck the car at 60mph and carried it up the
track for 450 metres.

Police praised the driver, who has asked not to be named, for his
response to the smash which happened at 10.40pm on Monday.

Det Insp Nick McCaw said it was incredible none of the 30 passengers
had been hurt.

He added: "It was down to the driver's expertise that we have
possibly avoided a catastrophe."

The driver had just rounded a bend on the Belfast-Coleraine line when
he spotted the car with seconds to spare and no chance to stop in
time.

The maroon Astra had been abandoned parallel on the track with its
rear end facing the train. The driver had reported seeing two men
standing by the crossing and then running away once the train hit the
car.

Police were unable to confirm yesterday whether two of the people
they had in custody were the pair seen before the smash.

Railway spokesman Mal McGreevy said it was miraculous that the train
did not derail and career down a 20ft embankment.

He added: "The train could have been derailed and we would be looking
at a much more serious incident. The driver through his actions saved
the lives of those on this train."

Yesterday the track remained closed as police investigators examined
the site for clues.

Dunloy councillor Philip McGuigan said the village was in shock after
the smash and fearful the saboteurs could have been from within the
small community.

He added: "Everyone I have spoken to is in shock and nobody can quite
believe such a callous thing could have happened here.

"It could have been anybody from anywhere who did this of course, we
just don't know."

Tony Bailey
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