Cockle Train hits car near Goolwa in second crash in five days

The historic tourist attraction was struck by a Nissan X-Trail near Goolwa this afternoon – just five days after it was involved in a fatal crash.

The Cockle Train and a car have collided at Skewes Rd, Goolwa at 4.17pm Wednesday.

The driver of the white Nissan X-Trail was the sole occupant of the car and was taken to hospital as a precaution.

There were nearly 100 passengers on the diesel locomotive, which was on the last run of the day between Goolwa and Victor Harbor, but no one was injured.

Passengers were taken to Victor Harbor on buses.

Police are investigating the circumstances that led to the crash.

SteamRanger customer service manager Steven Richardson said the driver wasn’t hurt but his young offsider, known as a fireman, was shaken because he was standing on the right side of the train when the car hit.

Mr Richardson said the car was travelling north and drove through the stop sign with the train coming to a halt about 400m up the track.

He pleaded with people to take care at level crossings and not trespass at crossings.

“The train has arrived back at the depot and will be looked over,” Mr Richardson said.

It comes less than a week after an 87-year-old overseas tourist was hit and killed by the iconic train near Hayward St, McCracken.

The male pedestrian was struck at McCracken, about 80km from Adelaide, during its final journey of the day from Goolwa to Victor Harbor.

A Nissan X-Trail has collided with the steamranger on Skewes Rd at Goolwa. Picture: 7 NEWS,

Emergency services at the scene of the crash. Picture: 7 NEWS,

BREAKING: There has been another accident involving the Cockle Train – a car has collided with the steamranger on Skewes Rd at Goolwa. No injuries have been reported. Details in 7NEWS Adelaide at 6pm | https://t.co/8ftPfGh39Y#7NEWSpic.twitter.com/S3yD9UP52K

— 7NEWS Adelaide (@7NewsAdelaide) January 10, 2024

There were about 150 passengers on board.

The train driver was taken to hospital suffering from shock.

According to the company’s website, the train travels along the oldest steel railway in Australia. The train travels from Goolwa to Victor Harbor, starting its trip at the wharf precinct near the Murray Mouth and finishing in the Victor Harbor town centre.

A day after the pedestrian death, Victor Harbor Council ruled out immediate safety upgrades around Cockle Train crossings.

Victor Harbor Mayor Moira Jenkins said the council would wait for a report from the Coroner to examine any recommendations before any changes.

“If there’s anything we need to do as a council to make that area safer, then we’ll work with SteamRanger to do that,” Ms Jenkins said.

In June last year, the Cockle Train hit a truck approaching a level crossing at Middleton. In 2022, a woman was fined after she and her children somehow escaped injury when the Cockle Train collided with their car at Port Elliot.

In 2021, a driver escaped with minor injuries after their car was pushed six metres down the track by the train in Victor Harbor.