Train driver dies in Queensland after locomotive and coal train crash near Rockhampton

The Guardian 
Fri 18 Jun 2021 (Australia)

Two other drivers were injured in the crash, with authorities suggesting one of the trains was stationary when hit from behind

A Queensland Rail train driver is dead and two others have been injured after a locomotive and a loaded coal train collided west of Rockhampton.

The three drivers were all on the locomotive – which wasn’t pulling any coal cars – when it collided with the coal train on the Aurizon rail network before midday on Friday, the Queensland Rail chief executive, Nick Easy, said.

Police say the driver who died was a 49-year-old man from Margate, north of Brisbane.

Another driver, 43, suffered a broken leg and was flown to Rockhampton hospital. The third driver, 41, sustained minor injuries and was taken to the hospital by road.

Police have said both trains were westbound but it’s unclear if both were moving at the time of the crash.

The RACQ CapRescue helicopter service, which attended the scene, said it appeared one train was stationary and was hit from behind by the other.

“We are deeply saddened and distressed by the incident and our priority is the welfare of our people and the families of the drivers involved,” Easy said in a statement.

He said the rail safety regulator and Workplace Health and Safety Queensland would investigate the cause of the crash. “Given the nature of the incident, it is not appropriate to comment or speculate further on the potential cause,” Easy said.

The Capricorn Highway was closed for two hours so the rescue helicopter could access the crash site.

 

Source:      

https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/jun/18/train-driver-dies-in-queensland-after-locomotive-and-coal-train-crash-near-rockhampton