Truck hauling ammonium nitrate explodes in outback Queensland, injuring 8

[ozbob]

ABC News --> Truck hauling ammonium nitrate explodes in outback Queensland, injuring 8

The explosion has not only taken out the road bridge on the Mitchell Highway at Angellala Creek, but also seriously damaged the rail bridge in the near location.  This located about 30 km south of Charleville near Westgate.  This may lead to the closure of the line to Cunamulla (I understand has been not seeing trains for while).  No cattle trains on the Quilpie line for a while now either. 

My guess is  rail west/south of Charleville is probably now finished.

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Twitter

Nine News Brisbane ‏@9NewsBrisbane

Rail bridge near Charleville has been extensively damaged from a truck explosion last night. #9Newscomau #9News

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Truck explosion injures eight, closes Mitchell Highway



Road bridge completely destroyed ..  rail bridge in background.

[ozbob]

Photographs shows the devastation of both bridges.  Some damage to fire trucks.

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Driver critical after horror truck explosion

The driver of a truck that exploded on the Mitchell Highway on Friday remains in a critical condition after being airlifted to hospital.

A two-kilometre exclusion zone remains in place around the explosion site, with a 4WD track to be created around the perimeter so supplies can get through to the towns of Charleville and Cunnamulla.

The highway near Wyandra, in outback Queensland, will be closed indefinitely after 56 tonnes of ammonium nitrate fertiliser being carried by the truck exploded, injuring eight people.

The truck exploded into flames after it rolled over near a bridge on a stretch of road between Cunnamulla and Charleville about 9.50pm on Friday.

Four firefighters were injured as they rescued the driver - a 33-year-old Mackay man - and the explosion destroyeding a bridge and a section of the Mitchell Highway.

Charleville police officer-in-charge Senior Sergeant Adrian Rieck said the Queensland Fire and Emergency Service crews were able to remove the driver from the wreck before the explosion.

"They were very close, within 30 metres of the wreckage, and at that time there were two explosions within quick succession," he said.

Two male firefighters were released from Charleville Hospital overnight, while two other male firefighters remain in Toowoomba Hospital.

They have minor injuries, including superficial burns and some minor internal injuries but are being kept in hospital for observation, a Queensland Fire and Rescue spokesman said.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Scott Emerson said investigations into the incident were continuing, with the focus on getting the 4WD track established.

"At the moment we think we can have an alternative track – which will be a 4WD track – which will let some vehicles through," he said.

"But that won't let some of the bigger trucks through and it really is very difficult to work out exactly what the way forward is yet, because there is still an exclusion zone in place."

Mr Emerson said police were investigating if all the appropriate signage was in place for the transporting of ammonium nitrate, which is classified as a dangerous good.

Mr Emerson confirmed the investigation would examine whether it made sense to carry dangerous chemicals by rail, rather than by road.

The Queensland Government's Moving Freights Strategy released earlier this year recommended a 70 per increase in freight carried by rail over the next decade.

"The reality is that we will always be a role for the trucking industry in moving freight around Queensland," he said.

"And so we always have to make sure we have both modes catered for."

Read more: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/driver-critical-after-horror-truck-explosion-20140907-10dis8.html

[ozbob]

Cunamulla was out of service when I was in Charleville in 2012, Quilpie cattle has been going by road via SA of late.

Glad I went there to both Cunamulla and Quilpie in 95 94 by rail,  all over now.

[ozbob]

Charleville 1994




Lunch on board




Passing the Westlander out west

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Fireball should not impact freight rules for explosives: truckies

[ozbob]

Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Scott Emerson

Angellala Creek side-track opens to light vehicles

Cars, buses and trucks up to 22.5 tonnes will be able to cross Angellala Creek for the first time today following the serious truck accident from earlier this month.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Scott Emerson said crews had worked extremely hard to restore access, with a temporary side-track now complete close to the site where the bridge was destroyed.

"We understand how important it is to get the road open for industry and the local community and our progress shows we are getting on with the job," Mr Emerson said.

"The temporary side-track will open from 7am today and ensures school buses, light vehicles, emergency services vehicles, caravans, and trucks up to 22.5 tonne will all be able to cross the creek.

"Traffic controls will be in place round the clock to ensure the vehicle restrictions are maintained."

Mr Emerson thanked work crews for getting on with job so quickly.

"Considering we have only had possession of the bridge site for just over a week, it is great to see how quickly temporary access has been set up," he said.

"Livestock transporters will still need to access the detour route until a more permanent route is established.

"These works are progressing well and are expected to be completed next month.

"I'd like to thank industry and the local community for their patience while we get on with this important job and give access to all vehicles travelling on the Mitchell Highway between Charleville and Cunnamulla."

Motorists are reminded to please slow down, drive carefully and follow the instructions of traffic controllers and construction signage at all times. Please plan your trip and allow up to an additional 15 minutes for journeys between Cunnamulla and Charleville.

For the most up-to-date information, visit http://131940.qld.gov.au/ or call 131940.

[ENDS] 23 September 2014

Background

Vehicle restrictions – 22.5 ton or less, includes: Cars and caravans Light vehicles, including buses, ambulances, fire engines Rigid trucks Small mobile cranes

Detour arrangements

For all vehicles greater than 22.5 ton, the detour around the bridge site remains the same.

For Type 1 Road Trains with two trailers, the following suggested route has been identified:

Turn right from Bourke to Walgett then to Dirranbandi via the Castlereagh Highway, road trains can turn right from Bourke to Walgett then to Dirranbandi via the Castlereagh Highway, then to St George, left onto the Balonne Highway, then right to Mitchell via the Mitchell - St George Road then to Augathella (or Charleville).

For Type 2 Road Trains with three trailers, the following suggested route has been identified:

Type 2 and Type 1 road trains can travel from Bourke through to Cunnamulla, turn left towards Thargomindah, then right to Quilpie via the Thargomindah - Quilpie Road, then right to Charleville.

[ozbob]

Cattle train is loading at Quilpie today apparently.  Still open!  The damaged bridge was on the Cunamulla line, which has been out of service for a number of years.

[mufreight]

Is this cattle train being operated by Aurizon or QR rail?

[ozbob]

Is this cattle train being operated by Aurizon or QR rail?

Not sure. Locos 2365 and 2 x 1720 (for the branch) - 1720 & 1733 ...

[mufreight]

Since one of the train locos is a 2300 it would be Aurizon.

[ozbob]

http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2014/10/5/full-vehicle-access-across-angellala-creek

Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Scott Emerson
Sunday, October 05, 2014

Full vehicle access across Angellala Creek

All vehicles, including Type 2 road trains, can now cross Angellala Creek, on the Mitchell Highway, south of Charleville, at the site of the major truck explosion – three weeks ahead of schedule.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Scott Emerson said crews had worked around the clock to complete the fully sealed side track that opened to traffic yesterday afternoon.

"RoadTek crews have worked extremely hard to restore access for communities and the trucking industry in half the time we expected it to take," Mr Emerson said.

"Traffic controls will be in place temporarily on the side track with initial speed restrictions of 40km/h.

"Last week we were able to give motorists, grey nomads, school buses and small trucks access to our construction side track, which really helped remove congestion from the detour routes.

"Now our vital heavy vehicle industry can use the new side track reducing delays."

Mr Emerson said RoadTek crews should be congratulated for getting on with the job quickly and efficiently to restore access along this vital stretch of road.

"Transport and Main Roads took possession of the site from the Department of Natural Resources and Mining on 13 September and the initial estimate to finish the side track was about six weeks," he said.

"Our roadwork teams leapt into action and should be congratulated for getting on with the job in half the time.

"We also took advantage of sourcing local materials wherever possible, which meant we start construction on the side tracks started almost immediately.

"Our work is not quite done yet as we continue with the important task of replacing the Angellala Creek bridge."

For the most up-to-date traffic and travel information visit http://131940.qld.gov.au/ or call 131940 or contact TMR's Roma office on (07) 4622 9511 during business hours.

[ENDS] 5 October 2014

[ozbob]

Twitter

Scott Emerson ‏@scottemerson

All vehicles can access Mitchell Highway at truck explosion site after TMR finished side track 3wks early #qldpol

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