Two train drivers have died in a truck-train collision on the SA-NSW border

Two men have died after fire erupted and several carriages were derailed in a shocking train-truck crash that shut down a highway.

Two people have died in a horror train and truck collision at a crossing near the South Australian and NSW border.

A Pacific National freight train crashed with a truck at Bindarrah in South Australia on Sunday morning about 30km west of the NSW border.

South Australian Police and emergency services responded to the crash about 10.30am.

The rail company confirmed two of its drivers died in the crash.

Police were called to Bindarrah at 10.30am on reports of a truck and train crash. Picture: ABC News / Bill Ormonde

“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,” a company spokesman said.

“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.”

Pacific National is a private company that moves general freight cargo, import and export goods and bulk commodities.

The train caught fire and several carriages derailed in the crash. Picture: ABC News/Bill Ormonde

SA Police, in an update from 4.43pm, said the impact of the crash caused the locomotive to catch fire and several train carriages to derail, blocking the entire highway.

“The two train drivers, two men from Port Augusta aged 48 and 57 died in the crash,” the police said.

“The truck driver, a 75-year-old Queensland man, was taken to the Broken Hill Hospital for treatment of minor injuries.”

NSW Police and other emergency services are helping SA Police and Major Crash Investigators at the scene.

Bindarrah is about 30km west of the NSW border. Picture: Google Maps

SA Police said the Barrier Highway was closed in both directions and would remain shut for “many more hours”.

“Motorists coming from NSW will not be able to travel past Broken Hill on the Barrier Highway into SA,” the police said.

“Motorists travelling east will not be able to travel past Petersburg Road – Peterborough turn-off.”

Cranes from Port Augusta are on route to help with the clean-up.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau is investigating the incident and will deploy Adelaide-based transport safety investigators with experience in train and railway operations to the site.

“As part of their evidence collection activities investigators will examine the level crossing infrastructure and rollingstock, 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 safety agency said in a statement.

The ATSB is investigating the crash. Picture: ABC News / Bill Ormonde

“The scope of the investigation and its timeframe will be determined as the ATSB builds its understanding of the nature of the accident.

“The ATSB will release a final report at the conclusion of the investigation, detailing its analysis and findings.

“Should any critical safety issues be identified at any stage during the course of the investigation, the ATSB will immediately notify relevant parties so appropriate safety action can be taken.”

The deaths of the two men mark the 115th and 116th lives lost on South Australia’s roads in 2023 compared to 71 in 2022.

Originally published as Two train drivers have died in a truck-train collision on the SA-NSW border