The horror facing a helpless train driver, seconds before a car drives onto the track in front of them, has been laid bare in a shocking video released to highlight rail safety.
The video, taken "recently" around the Waingawa industrial area, near Masterton, captures the panic-stricken train driver shouting "Jesus! Jesus!" moments before impact.
In the footage, a car can be seen approaching railway tracks at speed, failing to stop at a level crossing, and then driving directly into the path of an oncoming train.
The locomotive then collides with the vehicle, forcefully pushing it off the road.
KiwiRail chief asset development officer David Gordon said the "importance of individual responsibility" was being emphasised in this year's Rail Safety Week.
He said: "Luckily, in this case, the accident was not fatal. But even close calls at level crossings can take a huge toll on train drivers and those who narrowly avoid death."
More than 170 people have died in collisions with trains in the past decade. In the year to June 30, there were 19 collisions and 173 near misses at level crossings.
"Disappointingly, the latest figures show that 95% of collisions and 73% of near misses were at crossings that already have flashing lights and bells or barrier arms installed.
"This emphasises how important an individual's behaviour is when it comes to safety around railway tracks," Gordon said.
TrackSafe manager Megan Drayton added that train collisions are particularly unforgiving due to the heft and impact of rail vehicles.
"Trains and rail maintenance vehicles always have right of way and travel faster than they appear to. Locomotive engineers can blow the horn and put on the emergency brakes, but there is often little else they can do to stop the train in a hurry."
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