South Australian Country Fire Service cleans up Pacific National diesel spill at Adelaide Hills

Emergency services are mopping up a diesel spill in a tourist region after a train crashed into a tree.

Emergency workers are mopping up a diesel spill after a freight train crashed into a tree in a popular tourist zone.

The 1.5km long Pacific National freighter hit a tree branch about 4.15am in the Adelaide Hills, sparking an emergency response from the South Australian Country Fire Service.

The crash damaged the train’s diesel tank and brakes and some 10,000 litres of diesel spilt out of the train.

The CFS said it had deployed 20 firefighters to contain the spill.

“The Hazmat brigades worked quickly to plug the leak and contain the diesel spill,” the CFS said in a social media post on Monday morning.

The freighter collided with a tree branch in the Adelaide Hills. Picture: SA CFS

“Thanks to their efforts, the leak was limited to around 8000 to 10,000 litres, a significant reduction from the tank’s full capacity of 20,000 litres.

“Emergency services are still active in the area managing the clean-up and tree removal.”

The driver of the train was not hurt.

A Pacific National spokeswoman said the train had collided with a “fallen tree”.

“After the locomotive was safely brought to a stop, crews identified a branch had punctured the fuel tank and immediately contacted the rail network manager ARTC to alert emergency services and contain the spill,” the spokeswoman said.

“Pacific National is working with ARTC to recover the locomotive and specialist contractors have been engaged to ensure the site is safe.”