Two train drivers dead in horror smash with truck on Barrier Highway, west of SA-NSW border
Two South Australian train drivers have died after a crash between a freight train and a truck just west of the SA-NSW border. Picture: ABC News
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Two South Australian train drivers have died in a horror crash with a road train near the New South Wales border.
About 10.30am on Sunday, emergency responded to reports of the collision on the Barrier Highway at Bindarrah, about 30km west of the border.
The impact caused the train to catch fire and several carriages to derail, blocking the entire highway.
The drivers – two Port Augusta men aged 48 and 57 – died, while the 75-year-old truck driver, from Queensland, was taken to Broken Hill Hospital with minor injuries.
The road remained closed in both directions between Peterborough and the NSW border on Sunday night, and cranes were being sent from Port Augusta to help with the clean-up.
“The road is expected to be closed for many more hours, motorists are asked to please take an alternate route if possible,” SA Police said.
In a statement, a spokesperson for rail company Pacific National confirmed the fatalities.
“It is with great sadness Pacific National confirms the death of two of our Port Augusta train crew following a serious incident where our locomotive collided with a truck at a crossing in Bindarrah in South Australia, near the New South Wales border,” the statement said.
The Barrier Highway is closed in both directions between #Peterborough and #NSW border due to a crash. Closures are expected to remain for several hours. Police and emergency services have responded.
— South Australia Police (@SAPoliceNews) December 31, 2023
“Pacific National takes the safety of its employees very seriously and has notified regulators who are investigating.
“This incident is having a profound impact across the organisation, and our first priority is to ensure the highest level of care to the families of our drivers who have tragically died.”
The train had been travelling from Sydney to Perth when the crash happened.
The Rail, Tram and Bus Union said the two train drivers were “highly respected members of the rail industry”.
One of the pair was a longstanding RTBU delegate from Pacific National’s Port Augusta depot, the union said.
“They were active members of the Port Augusta community and local sporting clubs,” the union statement read.
“Rail workers across the country are shattered by the tragic fatal collision at Bindarrah today.
“The RTBU sends its deepest condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of the two workers.
“They will be dearly missed.
“This is an extraordinarily sad way to end 2023.
“All workers have the right to go to work and come (home) safely at the end of their shift.”
The RTBU said the incident “underscores the urgent need” to improve Australia’s rail safety regime.
“We note that the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has already commenced an investigation into the incident,” it said.
SA Police Major Crash investigators travelled to the scene as well as Adelaide-based Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) investigators.
“As part of their evidence collection activities investigators will examine the level crossing infrastructure and rolling stock, interview involved parties and any witnesses, examine truck and train operational information, recover any relevant components for further examination at the ATSB’s laboratories in Canberra, and analyse any recorded information,” the ATSB said in a statement.
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