Queensland Rail was operating train in fatal Westwood crash for tuition

The train involved in a fatal collision near Rockhampton in June was being used by Queensland Rail for tuition, it can be revealed.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau said Queensland Rail was using the train involved in the Westwood crash for tuition.

Queensland Rail was operating the train involved in a fatal collision at Westwood for tuition.

In a summary of the events of June 18 that killed Margate man Chris O’Brien and injured two other men, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau said QR was using the train for tuition in the ‘regional passenger’ section.

“The light engine (a diesel locomotive with no other rolling stock attached) was being used by Queensland Rail for driver tuition,” the bureau said.

“There was a tutor driver and two other drivers on board, and the light engine was being operated westbound with the long end leading (that is, in the reverse direction of normal operation).”

Queensland Rail would not confirm whether Mr O’Brien was the tutor or if anybody on board was learning to drive at the time of the crash; it said it did not wish to comment before the ATSB completed its investigation.

The light engine train, which the ATSB said was “destroyed” in the 11.26am collision with a stationary Aurizon coal freight train, was at the time headed for Bluff from Rockhampton.

The coal train, which was on its way to Ensham Mine from Callemondah, had five of its wagons “significantly damaged”, but its two drivers were unhurt.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau expects its report to be complete in the second quarter of 2022.

Note: This story previously stated incorrectly that Aurizon owned the train operated by Queensland Rail. It did not.