Driver, 86, recounts crossing crash

DANGER AHEAD: Hendrikus van Kesteren stands at the intersection where he said a bus obscured warning lights and where his car was clipped by a logging train. PHOTO/LYNDA FERINGA

An elderly driver who was lucky to escape uninjured when his car was hit by a logging train in Featherston last month has spoken out about his ordeal.

On February 21 at about 3pm Hendrikus van Kesteren was on his way to pick up his wife when his car was clipped by a freight train at the Fox St railway crossing.

The crash happened when he drove around a school bus which had turned left on to Fox St from Johnston St and was stationary waiting for the warning lights and bells to stop.

The 86-year-old said because the height and angle of the bus blocked his view, he couldn't see the signals.

"The bus was almost parallel to the railway line," said Mr van Kesteren.

"I thought the bus had broken down."

Unaware of the oncoming train, he drove around the school bus and on to the other side of the road as the bus driver watched on in horror.

Almost over the crossing, Mr van Kesteren realised he was in trouble when he caught a glimpse of the south-bound train.

"In the corner of my eye I saw the train, I said 'oh God'."

Mr van Kesteren said if the bus had stopped perpendicular to the railway line he would have seen the warning signals and stopped.

He questioned why the bus was halfway over the white giveway lines on Johnston St and half on Fox St.

"Are they allowed to block the road like that?"

He also didn't notice the signals because he was so focussed on getting across and back on to the left side of the road, he said.

"I couldn't see it, I couldn't hear it."

He was not injured but his 2001 Toyota Opa had a rear window smashed and was badly damaged on the left rear panel and boot area.

Mr van Kesteren said he was shaken after the crash but was more worried about the damage to his car. He hasn't had it repaired because he only has third party insurance.

Police have not charged Mr van Kesteren but have taken his driver's licence off him, which he can reapply for.

However, the experience has put him off driving, he said.

"I have decided not to drive anymore, that's enough for me."