Crossing death ruled accidental

Inquest finds crossing death was accidental


THE family of an elderly farmer who died when his car collided with a train at an unmanned railway crossing at Straide have expressed their hope that he did not die in vain and some lessons have been learned from his death.
A verdict of accidental death was recorded at the inquest for 66-year-old bachelor farmer, PJ McGowan of Knowknashavelley, Straide who died when the car in which he was driving collided with a train at a railway crossing near his home on February 28, last. Mr Patrick O’Connor, solicitor representing the family of Mr McGowan, said following the verdict that the family had expressed concern that the incident was avoidable.
“This was not a normal accident and I do know that the family, neighbours and Mr McGowan himself had made representations regarding the railway crossing in the vicinity of his home. Hopefully some lessons will be learned from Mr McGowan’s passing and his death will not be in vain if others are mindful of what occurred on the day,” he said.
During the inquest, neighbours of Mr McGowan described the crossing as ‘an absolute nightmare’. Mr John Mulroy said he avoided the crossing where the accident occurred because it was so dangerous and another neighbour, Mr Tony Cogger, said: “PJ was afraid of his life at the crossing, we all are.” However, representatives of Iarnród Éireann repeatedly said that the crossing ‘couldn’t have been safer’ and maintained that there was a view of 1,600 metres at the crossing of any oncoming train.
Mr Seán Finnerty, the driver of the train which collided with Mr McGowan’s car, said he was travelling from Ballina to Manulla Junction. He explained that in the vicinity of Straide, there are three crossings fairly close together which are numbered, 33, 32, and 31. The accident occurred at crossing 32, which is also known as Dillon’s Crossing. He said the speed limit on the line was 60mph and he was travelling at approximately 55mph.
He explained that when he approached crossing number 33, he sounded the horn and had a good view of the line ahead. As he reached crossing 32, he glimpsed something moving towards the line at speed and there was a collision. He applied the emergency brake and when the train stopped he realised that a car had been struck. The car was extensively damaged and it was apparent to Mr Finnerty that the driver was dead. He said he raised the alarm and when the Gardaí arrived he provided a sample of breath to Garda Peter Flanagan which read he was negative for alcohol.
A Garda investigation revealed that the 06 Chevrolet Kalos in which Mr McGowan was driving was in roadworthy condition at the time of the accident, but was extensively damaged by the accident. Dr Fadel Bennani, Consultant Pathologist, revealed that Mr McGowan died due to multiple sever fatal injuries and death was instantaneous.
In his report, Sergeant Gabriel McLoughlin, PSV inspector, said he obtained the Technical Evaluation of the Event Recorder from the train and it showed that the train was travelling under the permitted speed at the time the emergency brakes were applied.
Mr Niall Lynch, Divisional Engineer with Iarnród Éireann, said that, in 1999, a report was carried out regarding the safety of Crossing 32, and it revealed ‘it was not high risk other than for viewing’. He said major works on the crossing were carried out in 2000 and said it ‘couldn’t be safer’, and he could not answer for driver behaviour. He said that an Iarnród Éireann investigation of the accident found that from a distance of 18m from the track, a driver of a car had almost a mile of a view of any oncoming train.
Under questioning from Mr O’Connor, Mr Lynch added that no remedial work was needed following the accident but a whistle-board was erected following requests from locals, even though it was not required.
The jury recorded a verdict of accidental death and made no submissions regarding the crossing. Mr O’Connor thanked the Gardaí and the emergency services on behalf of the family for their kindness and care during difficult circumstances.
Mr John O’Dwyer, Coroner for South Mayo, said the accident was a tragedy and extended his sympathies to Mr McGowan’s family. Inspector Mick Murray also extended his sympathies to the family and to Mr Finnerty.