Woman in her 80s sustains leg injury, entrapped in car after crash with train near Calen
A woman in her 80s was flown to Townsville with serious leg injuries after the vehicle she was driving collided with a train and flipped north of Mackay.
Mackay
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A car and train crash just off the Bruce Highway has left an elderly woman with serious leg injuries.
The car ended up on its roof after it collided with a train near the intersection of the Bruce Highway, Pratts Road in Calen just before 3.30pm.
Paramedics arrived to the scene five minutes after the incident and said they were treating a woman in her 80s with “significant” leg injuries.
Reports soon after the crash indicated her injuries were initially life-threatening, including internal injuries.
A Queensland Ambulance spokesman said she was rushed to Mackay Base Hospital.
The woman was then flown to Townsville University Hospital where she remains in a serious but stable condition.
Mackay-Whitsunday District Duty Officer Senior Sergeant Kyle Gould said that preliminary inquiries indicated the rail lines’ red lights were flashing at the time of the incident.
“The red sedan involved in this matter has turned right from the highway to go into Pratts Rd,” Senior Sergeant Gould said.
“Inquiries have shown she’s not stopped at the red lights and has collided with the train that was heading north.”
Senior Sergeant Gould said the train driver had been breathalysed and was in shock but otherwise “relatively” OK.
“Queensland Rail are providing support for him,” he said.
Senior Sergeant Gould asked motorists to be aware of road conditions and train lines when crossing them.
A Queensland Fire Department spokesperson said crews had to use rescue tools to free her from the vehicle.
Queensland Rail has confirmed a freight train was involved.
Pratts Rd was closed in both directions as a result of the crash.
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