STARS air ambulance lifting a 49-year-old man to Regina General Hospital after he collided into the side of a moving train. (Cam Lee/northeastNOW Staff)

By Aaron Schulze

Dafoe Train Crash

‘Five metres away’: Operation Lifesavers’ recommendations to avoid train collision

Jul 22, 2019 | 5:16 PM

In light of a collision between a train and an SUV in Dafoe, Operation Lifesavers Canada has tips to help drivers avoid making contact with trains.

Jean-Guy Dusablon, a regional coordination for Operation Lifesavers, said warning signs are typically in place 300 metres before the tracks and the crosswalks act as yield signs. He recommends drivers to constantly look ahead of them and stay at least five metres away from the tracks.

“This is before and after the tracks,” Dusablon said. “Depending on traffic ahead, you have to make sure when you pass that you’re going to clear the tracks in front of you and behind you as well.”

In cases of drivers attempting to cross railway tracks to avoid being stuck behind a train for multiple minutes, Dusablon encourages them to be diligent and never attempt to get ahead of a moving train.

“The train is so big and weights many tonnes, it doesn’t stop quickly,” he said. “It can take up to two kilometres to stop a full train.

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“It’s like an optic illusion. When you look at the train coming in it seems like it doesn’t move really quick, but surprisingly it can be a lot faster than what you may think. It’s better to be safe and make sure you’ll be able to stop in time.”

Traffic didn’t resume on Highway 6 in Defoe, Sask. until around noon on Saturday, July 20. (Cam Lee/northeastNOW Staff)

A 49-year-old man was transported by STARS air ambulance to Regina General Hospital with serious injuries on Saturday, July 20 after he collided with the side of a train when it was crossing the tracks in Dafoe, Sask.

The accident happened at approximately 9:05 a.m. on Highway 6 where traffic was blocked until around noon.

Wynyard RCMP, which is detached nearly 25 kilometres east of Dafoe, said the ongoing investigation is being conducted by the Canadian Pacific Police Service.

The events leading up to the crash is still unknown.

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aaron.schulze@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @SchulzePANow