Police say two train workers have died in a crash between a freight train and a truck near South Australia’s border with New South Wales.
Key points:
- Two train workers have died following a truck and train crash near the NSW-SA border
- The truck driver wasn’t injured in the crash
- The Barrier Highway is expected to be closed in both directions for some time
SA Police said officers responded to reports of a crash about 10.30am on Sunday.
The 75-year-old truck driver from Queensland wasn’t injured.
The Barrier Highway was closed in both directions.
Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) assistant National Secretary Shayne Kummerfeld said the two men were highly respected members of the rail industry.
“They were active members of the Port Augusta community and local sporting clubs,” Mr Kummerfeld said.
“This is an extraordinarily sad way to end 2023.”
Mr Kummerfeld said all workers have the right to return from work safely.
“Today’s tragic incident underscores the urgent need to improve Australia’s rail safety regime,” he said.
A spokesperson for Pacific National issued a statement about the crash on Sunday afternoon.
“It is with great sadness Pacific National confirms the death of two of our Port Augusta Train Crew following a serious incident where our locomotive collided with a truck at a crossing in Bindarrah in South Australia, near the New South Wales border,” the spokesperson said.
“Pacific National takes the safety of its employees very seriously and has notified regulators who are investigating.
“This incident is having a profound impact across the organisation, and our first priority is to ensure the highest level of care to the families of our drivers who have tragically died.”
The freight train with the two drivers aged 48 and 57 was heading west at the time of the crash, while the truck carrying avocados was heading east towards Broken Hill.
Fire crews were still attempting to put out the blaze from the diesel locomotive at 3pm local time.
Several emergency crews from NSW and SA arrived from Broken Hill and cranes were expected to be brought to the area to clean up the damage.
It’s understood people on surrounding stations were first on the scene.
There was a small bushfire close to the crash which has been extinguished.
SA Police said motorists coming from New South Wales would not be able to travel past Broken Hill on the Barrier Highway into South Australia.
Motorists travelling east would not be able to travel past the Petersburg Road-Peterborough turn-off.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau issued a statement saying it has commenced a transport safety investigation.
“The ATSB is deploying Adelaide-based transport safety investigators, with experience in train and railway operations, to the accident site,” a spokesperson said.
“As part of their evidence collection activities investigators will examine the level crossing infrastructure and rolling stock, interview involved parties and any witnesses, examine truck and train operational information, recover any relevant components for further examination at the ATSB’s laboratories in Canberra and analyse any recorded information.
“The ATSB will release a final report at the conclusion of the investigation.”
On Sunday evening the NSW Traffic Management Centre issued a statement saying the Barrier Highway remains closed at Depot Road, Broken Hill.
“Motorists who need to travel are able to take the Silver City Highway and the Sturt Highway via Mildura,” a spokesperson said.
“This diversion will add at least an extra two hours travel time.
“The Barrier Highway is expected to be closed for some time.”
Source: ABC
