Edmonton crash: Men injured after train crashes into car on Swallow Road and the Bruce Highway

Two men remain in a fight for their lives, a day after their ute was struck by a freight train, as details emerge of the incredible work of bystanders and emergency services to free the critically injured pair.

Two patients with life-threatening injuries were transported to Cairns Base Hospital following a serious vehicle and train collision. Picture: Queensland Ambulance Service

Two men remain in a fight for their lives, a day after their ute was struck by a freight train, as details emerge of the incredible work of bystanders and emergency services to free the critically injured pair.

An 18-year-old man remains in critical condition at Cairns Hospital, while the 40-year-old man, in a critical but stable condition, was airlifted to Townsville University Hospital on Tuesday, November 26.

Police are investigating whether the utility, which was hit by an Aurizon freight train in Bentley Park about 6.40am on November 25, drove around a vehicle which had stopped at the level crossing, in an attempt to beat the oncoming train.

A witness wishing to remain anonymous said he saw the white ute collide with the train before it hit a pole and landed on its roof.

“The ute got T-boned, hit a pole mid-flight, flipped and ended on the roof,” he said.

A freight train and car collided at a level crossing on Swallow Road, near the Bruce Highway, at Bentley Park, on Monday morning, leaving two men with life-threatening injuries. Picture: Supplied.

The witness also said several tradesmen immediately worked to pry the utes doors open with shovels and crowbars to retrieve the men trapped inside.

“We ended up just cutting the door open and pulling a young passenger out and put (him) in the recovery position,” he said.

“An off-duty paramedic was in the gym next door who helped a lot with the situation and took control until emergency services got there.”

A spokesman for the Queensland Fire Department said four crews arrived at the crash site shortly after 6.45 am and worked for 15 minutes to rescue the remaining passenger from the vehicle.

“When we arrived one patient was out already and being treated by Queensland Ambulance Service,” he said.

“QFD extracted the remaining patient from the vehicle with cutting equipment.”

Two men have been injured in a crash involving a ute and a freight train at Bentley Park. Picture: Vince Williams

Four paramedic units also arrived on scene shortly thereafter.

As of 7.15am on Monday, both men were successfully removed from the vehicle and were being assessed by Queensland Ambulance Service.

They were then transported from the crash site, on the corner of Swallow Road and the Bruce Highway to, Cairns Hospital.

An Aurizon spokeswoman said while the train crew were not physically injured they were “understandably very shaken by the incident”.

“The level crossing is protected by warning signs and lights,” she said.

#Update - Two patients with life-threatening injuries were transported to Cairns Base Hospital following a serious vehicle and train collision, in which the vehicle rolled, on Swallow Road earlier this morning in #Edmonton. pic.twitter.com/Dax0vLRWri

— Queensland Ambulance (@QldAmbulance) November 24, 2024

Police advised there was no access to Swallow Road from the Bruce Highway and the right turn from Roberts Road south onto Bruce Highway was blocked for several hours.

Motorists were urged to avoid the area if possible and to expect delays.

Originally published as Edmonton crash: Men injured after train crashes into car on Swallow Road and the Bruce Highway