Westwood rail incident

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1405725370712690690

[ozbob]

ABC News --> Man dead, two injured after loaded coal train crashes into another locomotive west of Rockhampton

R. I. P.

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Brisbanetimes --> Margate man killed when two trains collide west of Rockhampton $

... Initial investigations indicate two trains, one empty and the other carrying coal, collided while they were both travelling west.

Queensland Rail chief executive Nick Easy said QR was deeply saddened and distressed by the incident, which occurred about 80 kilometres west of Rockhampton on the Aurizon network.

"Queensland Rail has notified the Rail Safety Regulator and Workplace Health and Safety Queensland and will be co-operating fully with all investigations," he said.

"Queensland Rail is grateful for the efforts of Queensland Emergency Services personnel and the Aurizon team who attended the scene.

"One driver has non-life-threatening injuries and is being treated in hospital. A second driver has sustained multiple injuries and is being treated in hospital." ...

[ozbob]

https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/92445

Statement from Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey
19 June, 2021 at 02:16 PM

Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Mark Bailey

My thoughts are with the families, friends and work mates of the rail workers involved in yesterday's train crash west of Rockhampton.

No one goes to work expecting to not come home, and sadly that happened yesterday.

Tragically, Queensland Rail is mourning the loss of one of its own, and two of the men working alongside him are being treated for injuries.

My thanks to Queensland's world-class emergency workers who rushed to the scene at Westwood to treat them.

The safety of every Queensland worker is an absolute priority and a thorough investigation into the event will be carried out by Queensland Rail and the independent National Rail Safety Regulator.

ENDS

[ozbob]

Rail Express --> Investigation planned following rail tragedy in Queensland

[achiruel]

I'm just a little confused about one thing—how did a coal train come to be operated by QR?

[ozbob]

The coal train was an Aurizon service.

A Queensland Rail locomotive hit the rear of the coal train.

" A locomotive, owned by another rail operator, has struck the rear of a stationary Aurizon coal train"
https://www.spglobal.com/platts/en/market-insights/latest-news/coal/061821-australias-blackwater-line-coal-rail-route-suspended-after-collision-sources

[ozbob]

Rail Express --> ATSB investigates Westwood rail tragedy

An incident involving a light engine and a coal train led to the death of one worker and injuries to two others.

A CRASH involving a light engine and a coal train at Westwood, Queensland, is being investigated by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau.

As was reported by Rail Express, the incident, which occurred on 18 June, claimed the life of one of the occupants of the light engine. The light engine, a diesel locomotive with no other rolling stock attached, was being used by Queensland Rail for driver tuition.

There was a tutor driver and two other drivers on board, and the light engine was being operated westbound with the long end leading (that is, in the reverse direction of normal operation).

The coal train was operated by Aurizon and was stationary at the Westwood loop, 45km from Rockhampton).

Just before 11.30am local time, the light engine struck the stationary coal train.

The light engine and five wagons of the coal train were significantly damaged.

Of the light engine's three occupants, one sustained minor injuries, one was seriously injured and one was fatally injured. The two drivers of the coal train were uninjured.

The ATSB sent three investigators to the site to examine the site and wreckage. ...

[ozbob]

Investigation number:
RO-2021-007

ATSB --> Collision between a light engine and a coal train at Westwood, Queensland, on 18 June 2021

SUMMARY

The ATSB is investigating the collision between a light engine and a coal train at Westwood, Queensland, on 18 June 2021.

The light engine (a diesel locomotive with no other rolling stock attached) was being used by Queensland Rail for driver tuition. There was a tutor driver and two other drivers on board, and the light engine was being operated westbound with the long end leading (that is, in the reverse direction of normal operation). The coal train was operated by Aurizon and was stationary at the Westwood loop (45.05 km from Rockhampton).

At about 1126 Eastern Standard Time, the light engine struck the stationary coal train. The light engine and five wagons of the coal train were significantly damaged. Of the light engine's three occupants, one sustained minor injuries, one was seriously injured and one was fatally injured. The two drivers of the coal train were uninjured.

The ATSB deployed three investigators to the site to examine the site and wreckage. As part of the investigation, the ATSB will also interview the drivers and train controller, analyse recorded data from the light engine's data logger and other sources, participate in a more detailed examination of the light engine and gather additional information.

A report will be published at the conclusion of the investigation. However, should any critical safety issues be identified at any stage during the course of the investigation, the ATSB will immediately notify relevant parties so appropriate safety action can be taken.

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Charges filed against Queensland Rail after fatal train collision at Westwood $

Three charges have been filed against Queensland Rail following investigations into a fatal train collision west of Rockhampton that claimed the life of Brisbane region father Chris O'Brien.

The charges,relating to alleged safety failures, come following investigations into the train crash at Westwood in June 2021 that killed train driver Mr O'Brien, a husband and father from Margate.

Two other rail safety workers were also injured.

The charges were filed by the Office of the National Rail Safety Regulator. ...

[ozbob]

Queensland Parliament

https://documents.parliament.qld.gov.au/tableOffice/questionsAnswers/2023/654-2023.pdf

Question on Notice
No. 654
Asked on 24 May 2023

MR R MOLHOEK ASKED MINISTER FOR TRANSPORT AND MAIN ROADS AND MINISTER
FOR DIGITIAL SERVICES (HON M BAILEY)

QUESTION:

With reference to the tragic rail accident that claimed the life of a Queensland Rail driver at
Westwood in June 2021—
Will the Minister (a) list the actions that Queensland Rail has taken, or will take, to avoid a repeat
of the incident, (b) when these measures were, or will be, implemented and (c) if there have been
any personnel changes at Queensland Rail due to the failures that led to this incident occurring?

ANSWER:

I thank the Member for Southport for the question.

The Queensland Rail community remains deeply saddened by this incident and the loss of a
colleague. Queensland Rail continues to support the family of the deceased, as well as the other
two drivers and their families. At Queensland Rail, safety is paramount. Queensland Rail remains
committed to operating a safe railway, learning from this incident and doing all that can be done
to prevent it from happening again.

Since the incident, Queensland Rail has implemented a comprehensive program to improve
safety on the network. On 21 June 2021, Queensland Rail suspended all mainline 'long end
leading' (LEL) operations both on its own network, and as an operator of its trains on other
networks.

Subsequently, on 25 June 2021, the Office of the National Rail Safety Regulator (ONRSR) issued
a safety alert, requiring all rail infrastructure managers and rollingstock operators to review the
risks associated with LEL operations (if applicable) by the end of July 2021. Queensland Rail
complied with directions contained in the Safety Alert.

Queensland Rail has since permanently codified restrictions on LEL into their Safety and
Environment Management System. Queensland Rail continues to focus on Signals Passed at
Danger prevention activities. Queensland Rail has worked cooperatively with ONRSR (and other
authorities) to improve rail safety and will continue to do so.

Regarding personnel changes, I am advised by Queensland Rail that it is not appropriate to
comment about individual human resource matters