A spate of people trespassing on train tracks in the Illawarra has prompted a warning from the Police Transport Command.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
On Good Friday a trespasser was spotted on the line near Corrimal at around 4pm.
There were also unconfirmed reports that the person was nearly hit by a train.
As a result of the track trespass, trains were at a standstill between Wollongong and Bulli.
NSW TrainLink reported that as many as three trains were held up because of the incident, causing delays of around 30 minutes for some commuters.
The Mercury understands there has also been a number of people spotted entering the rail corridor at Clifton and heading toward the Sea Cliff Bridge.
It is understood they take this risk to get a special shot of the Sea Cliff Bridge.
Walking along the tracks in this spot can be particularly dangerous due to a tunnel and bend in the line, which restricts the train driver’s view of the track ahead.
There have also been recent incidents of track trespass between Dapto and Albion Park as people look to take a short cut across the line to get to Mullet Creek and the Macquarie Rivulet.
Chief Inspector Craig James, who oversees the Police Transport Command (PTC) activities in the Illawarra, said entering the rail corridor was risky behaviour.
“Individuals who enter railway premises illegally are at risk of being hit by a train and losing their life, and it is hard to believe that some people are willing to take the chance,” Insp James said.
“The average person who thinks it is quicker to take a short cut over train tracks, or those defacing structures in and around train stations, don’t know when a train could approach.
“They are not only putting themselves at risk but the impact of a tragedy like this can be felt by train drivers and passengers for years to come.”
As well as putting their lives at risk, Insp James said entering the rail corridor was also an offence.
In the 2016-17 financial year, the NSW Trains annual report stated the South Coast line was the worst in the state when it came to incidents of rail trespass.
“There was an increasing number of incidents involving trespass in the rail corridor reported throughout the financial year 2016–17 with around 225 incidents monthly on average, predominantly on the South Coast line,” the report stated.
In addition to the locations mentioned above, a NSW TrainLink spokesman said the level crossings at Bellambi and Woonona were also areas of concern.
This was due to people ignoring the boomgates and opting to rush across the tracks in front of a train.