Car clipped

By Nicole Williams
A DRIVER had a lucky escape on Tuesday when his car was clipped by a passing train.
The car was travelling towards Dandenong on the South Gippsland Highway just before 8am when the driver was caught at traffic lights at Princes Highway with the tail of his car on the tracks.
The 7.12am Bairnsdale-bound train clipped the boot of the car at the South Gippsland level-crossing, causing it to spin onto the median strip.
Sergeant Andrew Smart said the man was extremely lucky but should have known better.
“He was about a foot off getting killed,” Sgt Smart said.
“And all because of a careless driver.”
The man escaped injury and Sgt Smart said the train-driver was clearly shaken up.
The driver was interviewed by police and a penalty notice was issued.
Police, CFA and ambulance attended as well as representatives from Metro and V/Line.
The accident caused traffic problems at the intersection during peak hour and affected train services as both directions of the track were closed.
V/Line spokesman James Kelly said services in both directions were delayed by at least 40 minutes.
Metro spokesman Chris Whitefield said Metro services were also delayed and buses replaced trains between Dandenong and Berwick between 8am and 9.30am.