Truck, train with 300 people on board crash at Bonemill Rd, Runcorn
Commuters were hit with major delays on the Beenleigh and Gold Coast rail lines after a train carrying about 300 people crashed into a semi trailer on the tracks in Brisbane’s south at peak hour.
A train carrying about 300 people has crashed into a semi trailer truck on the tracks in Runcorn on Thursday morning, causing major delays on the Beenleigh and Gold Coast lines.
Emergency crews raced to Bonemill Road at 6.58am with both drivers assessed to be in stable conditions.
It is understood the truck driver was not inside the semi at the time of the crash and a mechanical issue could have contributed to the cause.
One train passenger reported back pain, but no other injuries were recorded.
Akshay Jaglan, who works in a store at the Runcorn All Hours shopping centre said the crash sounded like an ‘explosion”.
“I saw the truck got stuck, I heard a sound like a crash. I came out and saw the trailer had stopped, the trailer was on the track,” he said
“I just heard the sound, it was explosive. The driver was near to the trailer.”
Investigation are ongoing into to determine whether there is a mechanical fault with the truck.
Trains were suspended between Kuraby and Altandi. Rail replacement buses were arranged.
Commuters were initially told to expect delays of up to 60 minutes, but exceeded 90 minutes throughout the morning.
The train was moved from the level crossing at Bonemill Rd to Runcorn Station.
A Queensland Rail spokeswoman advised as of 5.40pm on Thursday, all rail tracks were open on the Gold Coast and Beenleigh lines with minimal delays of 5-10 minutes on some services.
Runcorn resident and president of the Bridges Save Lives action group Ian Ollson said the crash “sounded like an explosion”.
“These things happen because of the existence of level crossings,” Mr Ollson said.
“The existence of these potential killer crossings on Queensland’s major intercity railway must be eliminated now.
“We can’t have a repeat of today’s incident.
“Bridges Save Lives is calling for the immediate closure of this crossing at Bonemill Rd as part of a program to remove all of them.”
Transport Minister Brent Mickelburg said an investigation would take place in coming days which should provide “greater clarity’’ on the cause of the crash.
But he said replacing train level crossings with overpasses was complex, expensive and took time.
“It could have been far worse. This is National Rail Safety Week and I think it’s a salient reminder for all road users (about safety),’’ he said.
“Level crossings are probably the highest-risk part of our road and rail interface.
“We’re already working to remove local crossings as part of the Logan and Gold Coast faster rail project, which we’re co-funding with the federal government.
“We’ve awarded contracts to get that started and already this year we’ve removed five (Queensland) level crossings.
“We’d love to see level crossings removed wherever possible, but they are costly and complex projects and we need to do it systematically in a way that is sustainable in terms of the financial impact, but also reduces the impact on commuters and the rail network.’’
