Businesses plea for level crossing removal after crash in Glen Iris

Glen Iris traders are calling for a dangerous level crossing to be removed after a car was hit by a train when it got stuck on the tracks due to an earlier crash.

Glen Iris traders are calling for a dangerous level crossing to be removed after a car was hit by a train when it got stuck on the tracks due to traffic congestion.

Emergency services were called to High St about 12.30pm on Thursday after reports of a collision.

A Victoria Police spokesperson said a train collided with the rear of a Honda Civic at a level crossing.

The female occupant of the car was taken to hospital for observation.

No occupants of the train were injured.

It’s believed the car was stuck on the tracks at the level crossing due to another crash that occurred further up High St beforehand.

Tony Phillips from 1533 Cellars said a driver from the previous crash “abandoned” his car which caused the traffic to build up and trap the woman.

“She was stuck inside the boom gates, she couldn’t go anywhere because the traffic was banked up both sides,” he told Leader.

“The train clipped the back of her and spun the whole car around.

“I was thinking that there was no way she was going to get out alive but she did.”

Mr Phillips said he was in a state of shock when he saw the incident unfold.

“The woman was really shaken up,” he said.

“Thank god there was no child in the back, someone could have been killed.”

Brenden Mason from Real Guitars said the level crossing needed to be removed.

“I’ve been here for more than 20 years and there have been quite a lot of incidents,” he said.

“It’s a dangerous crossing.”

High St was closed in both directions between Malvern Rd and the Monash Freeway for more than three hours with buses replacing trains.

Police will investigate the circumstances surrounding both crashes.

Anyone who witnessed the incidents are urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

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