The Investigation

After arriving at the scene, ONRSR investigators worked with emergency services before conducting a thorough site inspection and collecting evidence. This work included the launch of a drone to assist in the scene examination and to establish the full extent of the incident footprint and assist in assessments of the damage to infrastructure. Having completed these tasks, and liaised with SA Police, ONRSR investigators lifted the non-disturbance notice later that evening.

The post incident investigation by ONRSR identified the direct and sole cause of the derailment was the truck driver’s failure to observe or react to an active level crossing and the approaching train.

Additional observations included that the design and operation of the level crossing and the condition of the road could be discounted as having contributed to the incident and that there were no obstructions to the truck driver’s view of the railway line, the crossing (including the series of warning signs) or the approaching train.

The Incident

The collision between a B-Double truck and a Pacific National freight train on the morning of 31 December 2023 was the most serious incident on Australia’s vast rail network since the double fatality at Wallan, Victoria in February 2020. Like that occurrence, this one was felt nationally, particularly given its timing in the heart of the festive season. The incident killed two respected rail safety workers while a truck driver was lucky to escape with his life when a Perth bound train collided with a truck at an active level crossing.

The level crossing had both active and passive controls including warning signage, flashing lights and warning bells, and while there were no boom gates installed at the location, all crossing controls were visible and in working order. At this particular location, the single gauge railway track was generally straight and level, while the road was a dual carriageway that swept right to cross the railway line but was otherwise flat.

ONRSR deployed a team of rail safety officers and a senior investigator to the scene on the afternoon of 31 December and immediately issued a non-disturbance notice to the Rail Infrastructure Manager, the Australian Rail Track Corporation and the rail operator, Pacific National.

Sequence of events

The sequence began when the truck driver approached the sweeping bend in the road that led to the level crossing at which point the truck was travelling at 97 km/h. At the same time the freight train was more than 730 metres from the crossing travelling at 89 km/h.

The truck driver apparently did not notice the train until his vehicle was around 150 metres from the crossing at which point he first noticed the flashing red lights, heard the train’s horn and saw the flashing headlights of the locomotive. Believing he did not have the time or required distance to stop the vehicle, the truck driver made the fatal mistake to accelerate his vehicle, crossing the solid white lines on the highway in a bid to minimise the distance to the crossing.

With the truck unable to clear the level crossing before the train arrived, the lead locomotive collided with the left side of the B-trailer before lifting off the rails, rotating upon landing and becoming detached from the remainder of the train which subsequently derailed.

The investigation concluded that no defects were identified with the rollingstock, truck or rail infrastructure that could have contributed to the cause of the collision.

The truck driver has since been charged with several serious criminal, road-related offences by SA Police that are now before the relevant court.

Final note

Reducing safety risks at level crossings is a collective community responsibility. Members of the public, rail transport operators, road transport industries, governments, emergency services and regulators all have a vital role to play. There is no silver bullet solution to what is a truly wicked problem. Rather, safety at level crossings relies on the rolling stock operator, the road manager, the rail infrastructure manager and the level crossing user each fulfilling their safety obligations. A lapse by one or more will lead to an unsafe situation.