Cause of horror Goondiwindi truck and train collision revealed

An Australian Transport Safety Bureau investigation has revealed the cause of a horrific collision that derailed a train in Goondiwindi in May.

The aftermath of the crash involving a truck and a train at Toobeah. Picture: ATSB

An investigation has revealed the factors that caused a wrecked train after a crash with a truck in Queensland’s Goondiwindi region in May.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau report released on Thursday stated a heavy vehicle consisting of a prime mover and low-loader trailer carrying a skid steer was attempting to cross the train tracks, but the trailer hit a loaded WATCO grain train on Gooray Rd in May.

The truck driver and two train drivers were seriously injured in the collision, and the train’s two locomotives and 12 grain hoppers as well as the truck were destroyed.

The aftermath of the crash involving a truck and a train at Toobeah. Picture: Queensland Police Service, annotated by the ATSB

The report concluded that the crash was due to the truck driver not stopping prior to the level crossing as required by the signage.

ATSB Director Transport Safety Stuart Macleod said truck driver was likely to not have seen a train at that crossing in the past due to the infrequency on that corridor.

“This created an expectation bias which probably reduced the effectiveness of the truck driver’s scan while approaching the crossing,” he said.

“Nonetheless, the signage instructed the driver to stop at the crossing, and the driver did not comply with this requirement.”

The bureau found the configuration of the crossing provided appropriate signage and stopping distance for a road vehicle driver to notice and bring their vehicle to a controlled stop.

“Once stopped, there is adequate visibility for a driver to sight a train and give way,” Mr Macleod said.

But the report indicated that the warning signs on the northern side of the crossing, where the truck was travelling at, were in an incorrect order, but Goondiwindi Regional Council advised it would schedule works to alter the order of the signs.

The WRA-class locomotives, post-collision. Picture: WATCO

Mr Macleod said the accident demonstrates the limitations of passive controls at level crossings, where the onus was on road users to follow these controls.

“This accident highlights how expectation bias can influence driver behaviours when negotiating passive level crossings,” he said.

“Passive controls are common at level crossings where road and rail traffic volumes are low, and it is unlikely most road users will encounter a train at such a crossing.

“As road users become familiar with a level crossing where they have not previously encountered trains, they can unconsciously form an expectation that no trains will be present every time they approach that crossing.

“It is therefore crucial that road users remain cognisant of the potential presence of trains at every level crossing and are mindful of the consequences of a collision such as this one.”

Originally published as Cause of horror Goondiwindi truck and train collision revealed