News

The loaded Aurizon coal train was travelling to the Port of Brisbane when the truck crossed directly in front of the locomotive at the Cemetery Road level crossing in Chinchilla.

The train drivers applied the emergency brakes but were unable to stop in time, colliding with the trailer of the truck, which subsequently hit a light pole.

Emergency services attended the scene and treated the drivers for injuries. Both Aurizon train drivers were physically uninjured but badly shaken and have been offered counselling.

Aurizon’s head of safety, Neil Backer said the driver was fortunate to escape the incident uninjured.

“It is extremely frustrating that motorists and truck drivers continue to ignore the law at level crossings,” he said.

“The truck driver blatantly ignored the signs at the level crossing before attempting to cross the tracks ahead of the oncoming coal train.

“It is unbelievably lucky that the driver escaped without injury.

“Our train drivers deserve to go to work and come home each day in the same state they left.

“These kinds of incidents can be extremely traumatic for our train drivers, who can’t swerve or dodge motorists that ignore the signs and signals at level crossings.

“Loaded coal trains can weigh in excess of 10 thousand tonnes and it’s impossible for our drivers to stop them suddenly even with the application of emergency brakes.

“If you are breaking the law at a level crossing you are playing Russian roulette with your life.”

The incident on Monday afternoon resulted in minor damage to Aurizon rollingstock. Aurizon is assisting police with its investigations into the incident.

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Email: media@aurizon.com.au