Qld Rail is warning against trespassing on its tracks in SE Queensland. Photo: Qld Rail/Twitter (X)
Queensland Rail is warning against a dangerous new trespassing trend in the state’s south-east after close calls were filmed on CCTV last year.
Footage released by them shows people cutting corners over tracks to make trains, jumping off the platform to retrieve items or chatting on the tracks close to an approaching train.
In one clip, a person jumps across one set of tracks only to narrowly miss being hit by an oncoming train while in another clip, a person jumps onto the tracks to retrieve a skateboard.
Queensland Rail says there were 3845 trespassing incidents, and 197 close calls, in 2024 across South-East Queensland; in 2023, there were 3780 incidents and 218 close calls.
Qld Rail’s Senior Manager of Security and Emergency Preparedness Drew Brock says
“tracks are not playgrounds”.
“If you’re on them it’s like playing chicken with a train,” he says.
“The consequences of being on the tracks when a train comes can be horrific – there’s no room for error and no excuse for trespassing.”
Trespassing hotspots in 2024
Wynnum North 165 cases
Wynnum Central 157
Loganlea 138
Murarrie 91
Roma Street 86
He says common excuses offered were using the tracks as a short cut, retrieving dropped items and anti-social behaviour such as vandalism.
“Stay off the tracks, allow plenty of time to get to your train, and if you drop an item from the platform speak to station staff who will arrange to have it retrieved safely,” Brock says.
“Trespassing incidents which result in near misses are traumatic for train drivers, station staff and customers but they are entirely preventable.
“We want everyone, including our train drivers and customers, to get home safely.”
Near-misses can have a lasting, traumatic impact on drivers and staff, Qld Rail says.
Those who experience a near-miss are given extensive support which may include immediate relief from duties, extended paid leave and access to trauma counselling.
Queensland Rail warned the risky behaviour is not only life-threatening but illegal.
SECURITY
There are more than 12,000 CCTV cameras on the network and a dedicated team of railway officers, security guards and emergency teams.
To report unsafe behaviour, the public can tell rail staff, press the help buttons on trains and platforms or call triple zero in an emergency.
Those caught trespassing can be fined $322 on the spot or face criminal charges.
