UPDATE: The NSW Government has just announced a crucial funding boost of $178,000 for safety upgrades at the Twigg Road level crossing in Yenda, following a tragic fatal crash involving a motorcycle and a freight train in 2024. This funding aims to enhance safety at the north and south road approaches, a timely response to community calls for change.
Ethan’s mother, Jaime Griffiths, welcomes the news but vows her fight for enhanced rail safety will continue. “This Christmas will be our second without Ethan, and I struggle waking up every day,” Griffiths shared emotionally. “I can’t believe I will have to endure another holiday without him.”
The planned upgrades include essential road resurfacing, improved line marking, new signage, and vegetation removal to boost awareness for both road and rail users. Moreover, the government hinted at the possibility of more extensive upgrades under consideration for future transport planning.
Despite the positive changes, Griffiths remains cautious. “While these upgrades are welcome, I’m not confident in what is merely being said for the future,” she stated. Her advocacy extends beyond local improvements; she is part of a Facebook group with around 15 families who have lost loved ones in similar tragedies.
Griffiths is pushing for legislative changes to improve rail safety standards across the state. “In many Western countries, such as the UK and USA, legislation requires trains to have side lights,” she pointed out. She has even drafted proposals to align Australian laws with international standards.
Local politicians, including Murray MP Helen Dalton and Minister for Regional Transport Jenny Aitchison, have expressed their support for Griffiths’ campaign. Dalton remarked, “The loss of a young man’s life was a devastating tragedy, and it’s vital we take steps to ensure it doesn’t happen again.”
The funding has been allocated under two NSW Government programs: the Level Crossing Improvement Program and the Towards Zero Safer Roads Program. Additionally, in June 2025, Griffith City Council received $140,311 to improve safety at 28 other crossings in the area, which included new line markings and advanced warning signage.
Griffiths emphasized that while the projected cost for major upgrades at Twigg Road could be around $1 million, she believes it could be done for less—approximately $50,000—if proper strategies like GPS technology for train warnings are leveraged.
“I’m not saying I want these changes to happen overnight; I know it will take time,” she concluded. “But as long as it does happen, that’s what matters.”
As these developments unfold, the community remains hopeful that the safety upgrades will prevent future tragedies at the Twigg Road crossing. This urgent advocacy for change highlights the ongoing need for enhanced rail safety, making it a topic of critical importance for all Australians.
Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops.
