Freight train derails at Inverleigh causing carriages to pile up

A freight train has derailed at Inverleigh causing a number of carriages to pile up. WATCH THE VIDEO.

A freight train spectacularly derailed at Inverleigh after a night of wild weather, leaving a huge pile-up of carriages across the track and surrounding paddocks.

It is understood the train was travelling between Inverleigh and Gheringhap about 5.30am on Monday when it left the tracks.

A State Emergency Services spokeswoman said initial reports suggested eight wagons had come off the tracks, but images show the number of derailed carriages could be up to 20.

Golden Plains Shire Mayor Gavin Gamble said he believed the “very intense” rainfall had caused part of the track to collapse.

Office of the National Rail Safety Regulator spokesman Ross Stargatt said the cause of the crash was under investigation, with officers looking to find if there had been any breach of Rail Safety National Law.

A freight train has derailed at Inverleigh overnight. Picture: Lismore and District Rural Fire Brigades' Group

The ARTC, which manages the track, confirmed the incident had led to the closure of the Melbourne-Adelaide rail corridor. It is not known how long the corridor will be closed for.

“At around 5.30am (on Monday) a train derailment occurred between Inverleigh and Gheringhap (30km west of Geelong) in Victoria,” a spokesman said.

“There were no injuries to the train crew and there were no dangerous good containers impacted by the incident.

“The service derailed with containers displaced on both sides of the track and some within an adjoining paddock.”

Freight train derailment at Inverleigh. Picture: Mark Wilson

The large wagons that came off the tracks appear to have piled up in a ditch.

It is not known what caused the crash, but images show flood water pooled near the tracks.

The Bureau of Meteorology said Inverleigh recorded about 27mm of rain in a very short period of time. Nearby, Mt Mercer recorded 48mm of rain.

Mr Gamble said there had been reports of flooding across Inverleigh and Teesdale, with many roads closed.

“I can’t get out of my house, it’s the first time in 20 years (that’s happened),” he said.

ARTC and ONSR response crews were on site early Monday and the control of the site was handed over to the Australian Transport Safety Bureau.

“TONRSR has a team onsite at Inverleigh, near Geelong, investigating the derailment of a freight train,” Mr Stargatt said.

“The ONRSR presence includes investigators, rail safety officers and specialists in track and rolling stock engineering.”

Originally published as Freight train derails at Inverleigh causing carriages to pile up