Essendon woman expected to be charged with drink driving after almost being hit by train
An accused drunk driver has narrowly avoided being hit by a train after she lost control of her car in the station carpark and became stuck on the tracks in Essendon.
North West
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An accused drunk driver has narrowly avoided being hit by a train after her car became stuck on the tracks in Essendon.
The driver, a 60-year-old Essendon woman, reportedly lost control of her car while in the train station car park and ended up on the tracks about 12am this morning.
Police said a train approaching Essendon station had to come to an abrupt stop to narrowly avoid hitting the blue sedan.
A photo from the scene shows the car perched between the tracks while the train’s bright headlights shined into the vehicle.
“Dangerous and drink driving affects the wider community and it is incredibly lucky that no one was injured in this incident,” Sergeant Tim Fletcher said.
The woman was uninjured and taken to the Moonee Ponds Police Station where she allegedly returned an evidentiary breath test reading of .105.
The woman’s licence was immediately suspended, her car was towed and she is expected to be charged on summons with drink and careless driving offences.
Trains on the Craigieburn line were suspended for some time while the vehicle was removed.
The incident came just as Operation Amity – a four-day police operation over the Australia Day long weekend – was beginning.
Road Policing Command Assistant Commissioner Libby Murphy said the blitz would target the key causes of road trauma, particularly drink and drug driving.
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“Speed and impairment limits are in place for a reason, and if you find yourself questioning whether you are close, just don’t drive,” she said.
“It’s not worth not making it home to your family.”
She said motorists had “no excuse” to do the wrong thing behind the wheel.
Police will also be targeting seatbelt offences, fatigue, speeding and driver distraction.