Queensland Rail CEO ‘deeply saddened’ by CQ train collision death

The Queensland Rail boss has expressed his distress after a worker died when his light-engine train crashed in central Queensland yesterday.

The CEO of Queensland Rail is "deeply saddened and distressed" by the death of a QR employee in a train collision at a Central Queensland town on Friday.

The worker died when his light-engine train, heading west, crashed into an empty, stationary coal train at Westwood, 80km west of Rockhampton, at 11.20am.

Paramedics assessed three patients, all QR drivers: a 49-year-old Margate man who died at the scene; a 43-year-old man who was flown to Rockhampton Hospital by RACQ Capricorn Helicopter Rescue in a critical condition with suspected leg and arm fractures, and head and possible spinal injuries; and a 41-year-old man who was driven to Rockhampton Hospital in a stable condition with spinal precautions.

Emergency services attend the horror smash.

A fourth person was uninjured.

Queensland Rail CEO Nick Easy said the state operator was in mourning.

"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," he said.

"Queensland Rail is grateful for the efforts of Queensland Emergency Services personnel and the Aurizon team who attended the scene.

"Given the nature of the incident, it is not appropriate to comment or speculate further on the potential cause.

"Queensland Rail has notified the Rail Safety Regulator and Workplace Health and Safety Queensland and will be co-operating fully with all investigations."

Emergency services at the scene of the train collision at Westwood, west of Rockhampton, on June 18, 2021.

Rail, Tram and Bus Union Queensland secretary Peter Allen said he would wait until an investigation was complete before commenting on what happened.

"My thoughts are with the families," he said.

"There are families going through a tough time."

An officer walks along the line following the smash.

The Capricorn Highway near Huxham Lane was closed for two hours after the crash, until 2.30pm.

Some of the coal train's empty wagons derailed when they were hit, and fire crews were called to ensure train carriages were stable and to apply foam to a diesel leak.

Forensic Crash Unit investigations are continuing.

Originally published as QLD Rail CEO 'deeply saddened' by train collision death