Member Article

Traintrack dreamer has narrow escape

A drunken Australian had a miraculous escape after passing out on a railway line. The 20-year-old unnamed man fell asleep at a level crossing after a night out in Port Augusta, South Australia state. The freight train driver saw the reveller on the track and slammed on the emergency brakes, but the train was carrying 3,000 tonnes of freight and was unable to stop in time. It passed over him, missing his head by inches, as the man slept through the ordeal.

But he did not get away completely unscathed. He was taken to hospital with bruising after he woke up and banged his head on the underside of the train.

Rail spokesman Tony Aldridge said the clearance under the train was only 11 inches and the man was lucky to be alive. Mr Aldridge said: “It was probably lucky he was lying in such a way that the train actually went over him rather than across him.” ‘Probably’ lucky?

Mr Aldridge also said it was “not the best place” to take a nap. That one’s going on the list for Pez’s quote of the week.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .