Three accidents in six months at notorious Station St level crossing in North Shore

There have been three accidents within the past six months at a notorious level crossing in North Shore, including a horror crash on Monday which claimed the life of a truck driver.

Emergency crews at the scene of a fatal crash in North Shore on Monday. Picture: Brad Fleet

There have been three crashes in the past six months at a notorious level crossing in North Shore, including a horror smash on Monday which claimed the life of a truck driver.

A 31-year-old Frankston man died after a V/Line train collided with a truck at the Station St level crossing about 12pm.

It is believed the driver was out of the vehicle at the time of the crash after the truck’s trailer, which was carrying a heavy load of machinery, became stuck on the tracks.

The Geelong line was closed between Lara and Waurn Ponds for more than 24 hours and re-opened on Tuesday afternoon.

It’s believed the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) and the National Rail Safety Regulator have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the crash.

In September, a car crashed into the boom gates at the level crossing.

In July, a tractor also hit the gates.

Both incidents caused minor damage and no one was injured, however they led to major train delays.

Transport Workers Union Victorian and Tasmanian branch secretary Mike McNess was unable to directly comment on Monday’s crash but said improving infrastructure and roads should a high priority for local government.

“Friday last week saw the 50th truck driver die on Australian roads in 2023, and this incident is another horrible addition to that total,” he said.

In 2008, the then-state government named the level crossing Geelong’s most dangerous.

The risk rating took into account the likelihood of accidents, possible consequences of any accident and the number of trains using the crossing.

In April 2020, a coach and a freight train collided when a bus driver stopped on the same level crossing after the boom gate warning lights had activated.

An investigation by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) found the coach driver heard the train’s horn and unsuccessfully attempted to reverse the bus off the crossing, which led to the collision.

The train driver activated the emergency brake however the front of the bus sustained serious damage.

The scene of the crash between a freight train and a bus in April 2020. Picture: Alison Wynd

During an interview with transport safety investigators, the bus driver said he did not continue over the level crossing as he did not want to be reported for driving over the tracks after the warning lights had activated.

In 2021, the Geelong Advertiser reported there had been 20 incidents of vehicles hitting the boom bates on the Station St approach to the crossing over six years.

At the time, ATSB chief investigator Chris McKeown said: “While there were no identified queuing issues at the crossing that may have triggered a requirement to applying yellow box markings, such markings may have assisted the driver’s identification of the crossing limits and the hazardous zone.”

In 2005, a teenage girl died after she was hit by a train near the crossing.

She dashed across the tracks in an attempt to catch a train when she was struck.

Monday’s fatal crash brings the Victorian road toll to 279 lives lost, 47 higher than this time last year.

The Department of Transport and Planning said crossing has safety infrastructure in place including boom gates, flashing lights and warning lights to warn drivers of the approaching level crossing.

“We extend our thoughts to all those affected by this tragic incident,” a spokeswoman said.

The department said it will work with Victoria Police to understand the the circumstances and provide support to the investigation where required, which is standard following any fatality.

Originally published as Three accidents in six months at notorious Station St level crossing in North Shore