Early report on truck-train crash released

A TRUCK and train crash that occurred at Goornong in mid-July this year happened after a farmer opened a gate so hay could be picked up.

In a preliminary report released on Monday, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau found that on the morning of the crash, a farmer unlocked and opened the gates of a passive level crossing near Bendigo-Murchison Road to allow a truck on to their property.

The crossing is not available for public access.

When the driver of a V/Line passenger train saw the truck on the crossing, they sounded their horn and pulled the emergency brake but collided with the truck.

The truck driver was seriously injured and the train driver suffered minor injuries. None of the V/Line train passengers were hurt.

The leading car of the train was substantially damaged, with both of its bogies derailed.

The accident also resulted in substantial damage to the track infrastructure and the truck.

“[We] will include review and examination of the arrangements for the use of this level crossing, the operation of the truck and the train involved, and the configuration of the level crossing,” Chief Investigator Mark Smallwood said in a statement.

The investigation is ongoing.