Fatal coal train collision details revealed as victim named
The man killed in a horror crash between a car and coal train in North Queensland has been identified as police reveal what may have led to the tragedy. UPDATES.
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*Warning – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised the following article contains the name of a person who is now deceased
The passenger killed when the car he was travelling in collided with a coal train west of Bowen on Tuesday night has been identified as 50-year-old Bentley Parsgaard.
It comes as police reveal they are considering whether driver error may have led to the crash, with warning lights on, boom gates down and the train sounding its horn when the car allegedly went through the railway crossing.
The male driver, from Townsville, remains in critical condition after the train pierced the ute the men were travelling in, dragging the vehicle about 600m down the tracks.
Speaking to reporters in Mackay on Wednesday, Acting Inspector Novosel, said early investigations allegedly showed the driver of the ute had “unfortunately … taken a decision to enter into that intersection under those warning lights and has collided with an oncoming train that was laden with coal”.
“Those warning lights and boom gates are there for a reason,” Act Insp Novosel said
“People should adhere to the warning signals that we have because they are there to prevent any loss of life in circumstances such as this.”
Forensic Crash Unit Senior Constable Michael Parker said the two men were inside a Toyota LandCruiser travelling towards Collinsville from Bowen when their vehicle approached train crossing 3285 on Peter Delemothe Road (also known as the Bowen Development Rd) near Thurso Rd about 9pm Tuesday.
“The vehicle became enmeshed in the front of the train,” Senior Constable Parker said, adding the front of the train had “pierced the ute’s passenger door”.
Multiple emergency service crews responded to the crash including police, fire, paramedics and an RACQ CQ Rescue helicopter.
Senior Constable Parker said the helicopter crew flew the 40-year-old driver, a Townsville man to Mackay Base Hospital in critical condition.
Mr Parsgaard, also from Townsville, was declared dead at the scene.
Senior Constable Parker said the two train operators were unharmed and were breath tested, both returning negative results.
He said Aurizon personnel had attended the crash to tend to the drivers, who had not been able to stop in time and were not physically injured and get them the necessary support.
“It is significantly difficult for a train driver to stop at the drop of a hat with that much weight behind it,” he said.
“There is no recourse for train drivers to take any evasive action.”
A Workplace Health and Safety investigation is also underway.
Next to the train crossing, there are visible scrapes on the ground indicating where the train began to drag the ute eastwards.
The LandCruiserś windscreen was found metres away on the level crossing lights.
Snr Const. Parker said the train was able to stop about 600m from the initial point of impact.
The ute sustained significant damage with buckled wheels, a crumpled body and a dented chassis and tray.
Senior Constable Parker said the level crossing was fully operational including the flashing lights signals, and the train had sounded its horns before the collision.
As a result of the crash the Peter Delemothe Road was closed for a time.
Investigations into the incident continue.
Police are calling for witnesses or anyone with CCTV or dashcam vision from the surrounding area to come forward.
The collision capped off a horror day on Mackay Whitsundays roads.
Gavin Hussey perished in a crash on Shute Harbour Road just after 7am.
About an hour later, another serious crash blocked off the Peak Downs Highway west of Mackay.
A South Mackay woman is in a critical condition and receiving treatment at Townsville University Hospital following the crash.
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