Date: Sunday 26 July 2009
Time: 9.05pm

Chris Cairns concerned at latest rail safety statistics

Former New Zealand test cricketer and rail safety campaigner Chris Cairns is concerned at the latest safety statistics at level crossings.

Mr Cairns arrived in New Zealand today to be involved in Rail Safety Awareness Week from 27 July to 2 August.

"So far there have already been fifteen collisions this year at level crossings, compared with 20 for the whole of last year. I find it disturbing that some motorists are not following the warning signs and alarms at level crossings and are putting their lives and their passengers' lives at risk."

There have been ten rail-related deaths this year - four involving vehicles and the remaining were pedestrians. “This highlights even more the continuing need to educate people to always take extra care and follow the warning signs at level crossings, not to trespass and to only cross the rail corridor at official level crossings.”

Mr Cairns will be involved in a wide range of activities during the week, starting in Christchurch on Monday. There he will visit the children at Papanui and Hornby Schools, and will be involved in a publicity initiative at the Langdons Road level crossing and at a skate park near to a railway line in the city.

In Wellington on Tuesday Mr Cairns will be involved in an awareness raising activity at a Silverstream level crossing, with newly appointed Associate Transport Minister Hon Nathan Guy.

He will also be a key speaker at a function at the Wellesley Club which will mark the week.

In Auckland on Thursday and Friday he will be meeting with Mayor of Auckland John Banks, speaking at the assemblies of two West Auckland secondary schools, as well as meeting the safety team at Veolia Transport and a survivor of a West Auckland level crossing accident.

The impetus for the creation of the Chris Cairns Foundation was the tragic death of Chris's sister Louise, who was killed in 1993 when a cement truck failed to stop at a level crossing in Rolleston and collided with the passenger train on which she was travelling. Two other young women also died in this accident.

The Foundation aims to raise public awareness of the responsibility each and everyone has when approaching level crossings on New Zealand's rail network. Through awareness and education its aim is to reduce loss of life, harm and suffering for the victims of rail accidents.

ENDS

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