Watch as Queensland train driver relives the moment his train almost hit a trespasser

The moment a train driver views the terrifying footage of his train almost hitting a trespasser. WATCH THE FOOTAGE

• Watch: Crazy moments at Qld train stations

A Queensland train driver is haunted by the terrifying moment he almost hit a person trespassing on a train track, saying driving the route still “triggers” him seven months on.

After spending the past three decades driving trains in South East Queensland, Rodney Young says he is still shaken after almost hitting a man in August last year.

“I hit the horn, headlights on and brakes into full service and all I could do was just hope he got out of the way at the last second because you know you’re not going to stop,” Mr Young said.

Train driver Rodney Young watches footage of the moment his train almost hit a trespasser.

“It takes a good 200m before the train will actually come to a holt. I thought I had collected him because I was looking in the side mirror and I’m going ‘how did I miss him?’

“All he had to do was slip and he was under the train.

“Then the nerves set in and the body starts shaking because you don’t know if you’ve got someone or you missed them or what, you just don’t know.

“You just get a hot feeling, your blood pressure boils and it stresses you out.”

New Queensland Rail data shows trespassing on the South East Queensland network was on the rise, with 4109 reported incidents in 2023, compared to 3829 in 2022 and 3157 in 2021.

The trespasser came within metres of being hit.

Overall there were 351 near misses on SEQ trains in 2023.

Mr Young said he still thinks about his near miss every day.

“Whenever I am near the same spot it triggers the thought that it’s going to happen again,” he said.

“In those five seconds your life is gone. Walk around, go through the level crossing, go over the bridge, just do everything safely and don’t try to be a hero.

“Losing your life over that is just not worth it.”

Queensland Rail senior manager security and emergency preparedness Drew Brock said it was a no-brainer for people to stay off the tracks.

“Common motives for trespassing include taking shortcuts across railway tracks and between station platforms, retrieving dropped items as well anti-social behaviour such as vandalism,” Mr Brock said.

He said trains travelled at speeds of up to 160km/h and it could take up to 2km for a train to come to a full stop.

“By illegally accessing prohibited areas of the rail network, trespassers are risking electrocution from the high-voltage overhead lines or being struck by a train,” he said.

“If you don’t get killed, you’ll get caught. We have around 12,000 CCTV cameras across the network, a dedicated team of Queensland Police Railway Squad Officers, Authorised Officers and private security guards.”

Drivers who experience these types of incidents are given extensive support from Queensland Rail, which may include immediate relief from duties, extended paid leave and access to trauma counselling.