Tranz Rail go to police over Whangarei activities

For immediate release 16 September 2003

Tranz Rail go to police over Whangarei activities

Tranz Rail staff are so concerned about the behaviour of some young people in Whangarei they have called for assistance from local police.

Local manager Ken Antrobus says they have noticed increasing problems with young people throwing rocks at passing trains and placing posts on the track which in a worst case scenario could derail a train.

Recently the driver of a Kauri shunt train heading north encountered some teenage boys and girls walking in the middle of the track, he sounded the horn and eventually they moved off.

However as the train passed, one of the boys threw a rock at the cab of the loco. The driver of the shunt was able to stop and give chase, eventually catching the culprit and obtaining his name.

Ken Antrobus is concerned that with school holidays approaching the matter is only going to get worse and that is why local police have been alerted to the problem.

"These young people need to understand the danger they are putting other people in. A rock through a window of a cab could seriously injure the driver. They are also putting their own lives at risk by trespassing.

"We will continue to report all incidents to the police and we ask for community support in keeping an eye out for these young offenders. If they think they are going to get caught it should act as a strong deterrent, "says Mr Antrobus.

ENDS

© Scoop Media