Ministerial Statement: Rungoo level crossing crash findings tabled

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Minister for Transport
The Honourable Rachel Nolan
29/10/2009

Rungoo level crossing crash findings tabled

Transport Minister Rachel Nolan today tabled the results of an independent investigation into a crash between a truck and the Cairns Tilt Train which claimed two lives in November last year.

Ms Nolan said two train drivers were killed when the north-bound tilt train collided with a B-double truck which entered a level crossing about 110 kilometres north of Townsville at Rungoo on November 27, 2008.

"I extend my deepest sympathies to the relatives, friends and co-workers of the two men who died in this terrible tragedy and assure them that a comprehensive and rigorous investigation has been carried out," Ms Nolan said.

Ms Nolan said a full, independent, 'no blame' investigation was carried out under the Transport Infrastructure Act 1994 to identify the cause of the collision and make recommendations to improve safety.

"The investigation was initiated by my department and chaired by an investigator from the Australian Transport Safety Bureau," Ms Nolan said.

"It examined all aspects of the crash from obtaining eye witness accounts to complex engineering and technical advice.

"The police investigation is separate and, I am advised, ongoing."

Ms Nolan said that the report noted the driver said he did not see the flashing lights and found the primary cause of the crash was that the truck driver failed to respond to the flashing lights at the crossing.

"Eyewitness accounts and subsequent testing confirm the warning lights were operational," Ms Nolan said

Ms Nolan said recommendations made in the report to relevant organisations including the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads, QR Passenger Propriety Limited, the Rail Industry Safety Standards Board and the Australian Transport Council would be pursued.

"First, it recommends that the Australian Transport Council further investigate intelligent systems to monitor heavy vehicle speed and compliance and I will raise this at the ATC meeting in Sydney next week," Ms Nolan said.

"Second, it suggests that my department take further steps to ensure drug testing of drivers involved in serious crashes. I commit to that review being undertaken, in conjunction with police.

"Third, it recommends that Queensland Rail make policy changes around passenger manifests and how to respond to offers of medical assistance. I have written to the CEO of QR on those matters today."

There were 81 passengers and seven staff, including the two drivers, on the train when the crash happened. Nine passengers suffered minor injuries and were treated on scene before being transported to Ingham hospital for further treatment and assessment.

The 63-year-old truck driver was air lifted to Cairns Hospital for observation.

The report will be published in its entirety on the Department of Transport and Main Roads website (www.transportandmainroads.qld.gov.au), within the Transport section.

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Rungoo rail incident report

--> http://www.transport.qld.gov.au/Home/Safety/Rail/Safety_reports/

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There is a police investigation in place.  It is no longer appropriate to comment.