ATSB report reveals more details about fatal South Geelong railway smash

A new report examines the minutes leading up to a fatal railway smash at South Geelong.

Fatal accident after a truck collided with a train at the railway crossing on Barwon Terrace in South Geelong. Picture: Brad Fleet

A truck driver killed in a horrific South Geelong railway smash had slipped between boom gates while a train was travelling at 65km/h along the track, a report says.

The driver, a 57-year-old Ocean Grove man, died at the scene when his tip truck collided with a V/Line train near Barwon Terrace about 6.40am on April 3.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau this week released a preliminary report following investigations into the cause of the crash.

The report, which contains no analysis or findings, notes the truck left a nearby depot just before sunrise and travelled towards Barwon Terrace along an unsealed road running parallel to the railway track.

At the same time a V/Line train, with only a driver and conductor on-board, was travelling along the track towards Waurn Ponds station, the report noted.

The report said the train driver saw the truck approaching the level crossing and sounded the train’s horn and used the emergency brake in an attempt to stop.

“Soon after, the train collided with the truck that was foul of the track,” the report read.

“The train was travelling at about 65 km/h at the time of collision.

“The force of impact caused the truck to spin around in a clockwise direction and the driver was fatally injured.”

Fatal accident after a truck collided with a train at the railway crossing on Barwon Terrace in South Geelong. Picture: Brad Fleet

According to the report, the route used by the truck appeared to be “in regular use”. This was despite signs warning drivers to “keep tracks clear”.

ATSB’s chief inspector of transport safety, Mark Smallwood, said investigations into the crash had been extensive.

“Investigators attended to inspect the accident site, and have also examined operational information for the truck and train, interviewed several parties, and collected other relevant information,” Mr Smallwood said.

“As noted in today’s preliminary report, there was evidence of at least two routes from the unsealed road being used by road traffic to join Barwon Terrace.

“One of these routes, which was used by the truck in this collision, joins Barwon Terrace between the two boom barrier and flashing light assemblies to the north and south of the rail line.”

Mr Smallwood said the authority’s investigations was ongoing and would include the review and examination of the level crossing, vehicles involved, layout of the unsealed roads and access to the level crossing.

He said a review into traffic management before and at the time of the accident would also take place.

A final report will be released at the end of the investigation.

“However, should a critical safety issue be identified during the investigation, relevant parties will be immediately notified so timely safety action can be taken,” Mr Smallwood said.

Originally published as ATSB report reveals more details about fatal South Geelong railway smash