Idiots driving through the tram stops on Swanston Street isn’t anything new – but I was in the right place at the right time during my lunchtime walk, when I spotted yet another vehicle ignore the NO ENTRY signs and drive through the tram stop on Swanston Street.
The van driver squeezed past waiting pedestrians to drive down the bike lane.
Then swerved around a pedestrian in the bike lane.
You’re getting awfully close to the edge there…
And CRUNCH – the bottom of the van bottoms out on the tram stop!
‘Yeah, you’re stuck!’
Yarra Trams staff also came over for a look.
The first police arrived on the scene a few minutes after the van got stuck.
With more police arriving in an unmarked car.
Southbound trams still running past the stuck van.
But northbound trams hat to stop running.
Stuck at Bourke Street with nowhere to go.
They had to run ‘bang road’ (wrong direction) down Swanston Street.
Until they reached the crossover at Flinders Lane, where they crossed over onto the southbound track.
Back up at the Bourke Street tram stop, a tilt tray truck eventually arrived.
With a few attempts required to line it up with the stuck van.
Eventually it was all hooked up.
And up went the van.
All loaded up, and ready for trams to run again.
Play it again, Sam
And here is the van getting stuck, in animated GIF format.
And over on Reddit
From a commenter on /r/Melbourne:
I like how someone manages to take picture before the “accident”.
I’ve photographed so many idiots driving down Swanston Street it was only a matter of time until I caught someone come off second best.
What the van driver didn’t realise at the time is that YT is highly to pursue damages through the courts. I imagine the amount would be considerable.
Found here:
http://www.mondaq.com/australia/x/97518/Government+Contracts+Procurement+PPP/Tram+Delays+Negligent+Driver+Pays
I really hope this is pursued by both police and YT. You certainly were in the right place at the right time.
You really do wonder what goes through their heads. Like the people who get stuck under the Montague St bridge I guess – nothing! Off in their own little world.
Or just blinding following the satnav without any thought involved.
Let me add those typical comment* which comes after every incident of a bridge strike on Montague Street but it to reflect this scenario.
“If YT and PTV didn’t install raised platform so this won’t happen”.
*I don’t foster muppet drivers honestly if I had my way if you can’t read clear informative signs whether it’s “low bridge” or “do not enter” you shouldn’t be able to be behind a weapon on four rubber tires.
What was being transported that was so important for the driver to ignore the “no entry” signs?
Too lazy to do a u-turn and take the long way around – backtrack to Collins Street, drive a block over to Elizabeth or Russell, then two blocks north equals four or five extra blocks of driving.