Queensland Rail has reminded motorists of the importance of safety at level crossings, sharing new footage of crashes between cars and trains that took place in Cairns just days apart.
The footage shows the cars travelling through active level crossings, despite flashing lights and signage, and colliding with the Kuranda Scenic Railway train.
The train was carrying tourists during the school holidays at the time of the crashes.
In the first of the two incidents, which took place in Grove Street in Cairns on December 30, 2025, members of the public rushed to the car driver’s aid, pulling them from the wreckage moments after the vehicle collided with the heritage carriages.
Nine days later, on January 8, 2026, another driver travelled through the crossing at Upward Street – directly in front of the oncoming locomotive. The impact sent the car spinning across the road.
Both drivers avoided serious injury, and no rail customers or crew were hurt.
The incidents come amid regional Queensland recording 110 level crossing close calls with vehicles and pedestrians in 2025, including 34 in Far North Queensland.
Queensland Rail Executive General Manager Regional Assets Wayne Prosser said the new footage demonstrates the risks when drivers don’t obey the signals and signage at level crossings.
“The lights were flashing and the warnings were clear, and these drivers are fortunate the outcomes were not more serious,” he said.
“Every driver needs to obey the signs and signals at level crossings, look for oncoming trains, and stop when the lights flash.”
Queensland Police Service Railway Squad Acting Inspector Simon Arnold said penalties apply for drivers who ignore level crossing protections.
“That includes on the spot fines of $500, and if infrastructure is damaged, drivers may face an infringement of $1,335,” Inspector Arnold said.
“We’re out here with Queensland Rail as part of this joint operation to reinforce the importance of taking level crossings seriously. We want everyone to get home safely.”
Watch the footage online here.
