You have to wonder at what might be so important in life to risk getting hit by a train.
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What makes a person want to face the consequence of possible death or serious injury rather than wait a minute or two while that train passes by.
Surely gaining a minute is not worth costing you your life.
Police Transport Command are targeting those people who take their lives into their own hands by running in front of trains.
The Illawarra has seven level crossings and NSW TrainLink figures have proved the level crossing at Bellambi is one of the worst in the state.
In 2014, rail staff reported eight instances of people willing to risk their lives at the Bellambi crossing.
“Anecdotally, it’s always had a high number of people trespassing,’’ Chief Inspector Craig James said.
“I don’t think people realise they’re actually putting their lives in danger.”
The innocent and often forgotten victims in all this is the train drivers.
Imagine having to confront the prospect of knowing each day someone might do something stupid and you might have to bear witness to the consequences.
It’s a horrible thought.
Perhaps those people that are willing to take that risk should perhaps think of the unintended consequences next time.
In Rail Safety Week, police are reminding the public it’s actually illegal.
“It’s also about reminding the community generally that if they enter the rail corridor they are committing an offence,” Insp James said.
CELEBRATING IN STYLE
The Wollongong City Council is examining how best our community can come together to celebrate the achievements of the Illawarra's own Olympic champion and four-time Rio medallist Emma McKeon.
The council is working with the McKeon family at organising a fitting public ceremony.
The Illawarra Mercury editorial for the August 16 edition called for a public celebration and it appears that’s what we will get.
There were some good suggestions on our Facebook page too.
“Parade, autographs and keys to city,” was one suggestion.
“Make all council pools free for a month to celebrate,” was another interesting and different suggestion.