A railway crossing light at Mania-iti/Benneydale was used for target practice on July 7. PHOTO SUPPLIED
TE KŪITI Police are condemning the actions of the person who used a firearm to shoot out a railway crossing signal.
A railway crossing flashing warning light at the crossing on Waimiha Rd, Maniaiti/Benneydale, stopped working about 12.30am on July 7.
“When KiwiRail staff arrived, they found that related signal warning lights had been shot by a firearm several times causing it to malfunction,” sergeant Jimmie Walker said.
Deliberate destruction of equipment designed to make railway crossings safe was both unnecessary and illegal, he said.
Not only would anyone identified as causing this damage be charged, they would also be held responsible if any other person was hurt or killed because of their vandalism.
They would be charged in relation to the injuries or deaths of anyone who drove in front of an oncoming train while the crossing lights were not working.
“If an offender also holds a firearm’s licence, then this behaviour would also likely result in their firearm’s licence being revoked,” he said.
KiwiRail executive general manager operations Paul Ashton said when the light stopped working at 12.30am, an automatic message was sent to train control to put a 10kmh speed restriction on the crossing.
“When our signals staff arrived at 2am, it was discovered the lights at the crossing had been shot at several times. One of the lights had been hit and was broken as a result.
“The LED unit was fixed, and the level crossing returned to normal operation at 3am,” Paul said.
KiwiRail has strongly condemned the intentional damage.
The purpose of a level crossing protection system, such as lights and bells, was to warn people of an approaching train, Paul said.
“Vandalising or damaging level crossing equipment is extremely reckless and can result in serious injury to the public and rail staff.”
Police are requesting any witnesses to contact them on ph 105 or anonymously via www.crimestoppers-nz.org
