Mackay Sugar locomotive derailed near Racecourse Mill

Contents of three sugar cane bins were scattered across a Racecourse road after a locomotive collided with stationary bins.

Billets and upturned sugar cane bins were scattered across a road after a locomotive crashed and derailed just kilometres from its destination.

Mackay Sugar health, safety and environment group manager Carissa Mansfield was at the scene about 10.40pm Friday.

Cane train crash on Cowleys Rd, Racecourse, September 16 2021. Picture: Lillian Watkins

The locomotive was on its way to Racecourse Mill near Cowley Rd when it collided with the stationary bins full of cane billets ready to be crushed.

Four cane bins were overturned, September 16 2021. Picture: Lillian Watkins

Ms Mansfield said fortunately the driver and assistant driver of the locomotive had escaped uninjured, but how the accident happened was still unknown.

The two people in the locomotive were uninjured. Picture: Lillian Watkins

She said Mackay Sugar had notified police and would be investigating.

Cowleys Rd was blocked for several hours. Picture: Lillian Watkins

“We had an immediate emergency response,” she said.

Mackay Sugar issued an emergency response. Picture: Lillian Watkins

At the time, Ms Mansfield said there were slight disruptions to the mill’s operations but expected it to be back on track in a few hours.

Police were required to direct traffic on Cowleys Rd.