Kerang rail accident
Encyclopedia
The Kerang train accident occurred on 5 June 2007 at about 1:40 pm AEST
in the Australia
n state of Victoria
, approximately 6 kilometres (3.7 mi) north of the town of Kerang
in the state's northwest, and 257 kilometres (160 mi) north-northwest of the city of Melbourne
.
Southbound V/Line
passenger train service 8042, which consisted of locomotive N460 and carriage set N7, and a northbound semi-trailer truck
collided at a level crossing
where the Swan Hill railway line crosses the Murray Valley Highway
. The locomotive and first carriage escaped impact as the truck swerved left. However, the second carriage and third carriages were both struck, causing major structural damage and fatal injury to passengers. There have been many accidents with vehicles striking the sides of trains, however this incident was particularly devastating given the size of the truck.
The nearly 40 tonne truck which was travelling at 100|km/h was totally destroyed on impact with the carriages, its driver sustaining shoulder and head injuries.
Victoria Police
confirmed that 11 people were killed and 23 injured in the crash, making this to date the deadliest Australian rail disaster since 1977. As of 11:00 am on the 6th of June, two passengers remained unaccounted for. The site was visited on the evening of 5 June by the Premier of Victoria, Steve Bracks
, who called it a "horrific scene".
The train involved in the accident was a locomotive-hauled service from Swan Hill
that departed for Melbourne
at 1:00pm, operated by a N class locomotive and three car N type carriage set
. The collision caused the closure of nearby sections of the Murray Valley Highway
.
Both the Federal Minister for Transport and Regional Services Mark Vaile
and the Prime Minister
John Howard
spoke to the media, offering Federal government aid to families as well as the investigative assistance of the Australian Transport Safety Bureau
. Leader of the Opposition
Kevin Rudd
said that he was "saddened and shocked" by the incident and went on to say that his "thoughts and prayers tonight are with those still fighting for their life in hospitals throughout Victoria."
V/Line announced it would support a full inquiry and had arranged counselling for the passengers and their families. Chief executive Rob Barnett said the incident would raise questions about the safety of level crossings, but asked everyone to resist jumping to conclusions. Train services between Bendigo and Melbourne were not affected by the accident, but buses replaced trains between Bendigo and Swan Hill until the crash site was cleared and the site released by accident investigators.
Due to the nature of land surrounding the accident site, some earthworks were required to provide a solid footing enabling heavy lifting to be used for the removal of rolling stock damaged in the accident. Once removed from the line, the damaged rolling stock was transported to Melbourne for further investigation, with some of the carriages still in storage in 2008.
The driver of the semi-trailer, Christiaan Scholl, was charged with one count of culpable driving and on 7 June was bailed to appear before Bendigo Magistrates Court on 19 December. A police spokesman stated that more charges are expected to be laid in due course. On 18 August 2008, Christiaan Scholl was committed for trial on 11 charges of causing death by culpable driving and 8 charges of causing injury by negligent driving. His trial began in Bendigo on 26 May 2009. On 13 June 2009, he was found not guilty on all charges. A group of crash victims indicated they would pursue a civil action against Scholl.
Ursula McGuiness, General Manager for V/Line noted that the level crossing was protected with lights and bells, which were still sounding and flashing when emergency services arrived, but did not have boom gates
.
Recently, there had been timetable changes on the line according to Kerang resident and Shire of Gannawarra councillor Lui Basile.
On 15 February 2008, the Office of the Chief Investigator, Department of Infrastructure, released Rail Safety Report 2007/09, detailing the findings of the investigation into the collision. The report noted that the train, truck, and level crossing warning signals were all serviceable prior to the incident, and both the train and truck driver were familiar with their respective routes. The report noted that the truck driver did not agree to be interviewed by investigators, and concluded that "For reasons not determined the truck driver did not respond in an adequate time and manner to the level crossing warning devices."
. The inquest began on 19 January at the Coroner's Court in Bendigo. After a minute's silence
, coroner Dr Jane Hendtlass heard evidence from the driver of the train. The inquest is scheduled to run over 58 days.
Time in Australia
Australia uses Standard time, i.e: the same well defined time for a region. The proper names of Australia's time zones are Australian Western Standard Time , Australian Central Standard Time , and Australian Eastern Standard Time...
in the Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n state of Victoria
Victoria (Australia)
Victoria is the second most populous state in Australia. Geographically the smallest mainland state, Victoria is bordered by New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania on Boundary Islet to the north, west and south respectively....
, approximately 6 kilometres (3.7 mi) north of the town of Kerang
Kerang, Victoria
Kerang is a rural town on the Loddon River in northern Victoria in Australia. It is the commercial centre to an irrigation district based on livestock, horticulture, lucerne and grain. It is located north-west of Melbourne on the Murray Valley Highway a few kilometres north of its intersection...
in the state's northwest, and 257 kilometres (160 mi) north-northwest of the city of Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
.
Southbound V/Line
V/Line
V/Line is a not for profit regional passenger train and coach service in Victoria, Australia. It was created after the split-up of VicRail in 1983. V/Line is owned by the V/Line Corporation which is a Victorian State Government statutory authority...
passenger train service 8042, which consisted of locomotive N460 and carriage set N7, and a northbound semi-trailer truck
Semi-trailer truck
A semi-trailer truck, also known as a semi, tractor-trailer, or articulated truck or articulated lorry, is an articulated vehicle consisting of a towing engine , and a semi-trailer A semi-trailer truck, also known as a semi, tractor-trailer, or (in the United Kingdom and Ireland) articulated truck...
collided at a level crossing
Level crossing
A level crossing occurs where a railway line is intersected by a road or path onone level, without recourse to a bridge or tunnel. It is a type of at-grade intersection. The term also applies when a light rail line with separate right-of-way or reserved track crosses a road in the same fashion...
where the Swan Hill railway line crosses the Murray Valley Highway
Murray Valley Highway
The Murray Valley Highway is a popular tourist route, which follows the south side of the Murray River in Victoria, Australia. The route effectively acts as the northern-most highway in Victoria...
. The locomotive and first carriage escaped impact as the truck swerved left. However, the second carriage and third carriages were both struck, causing major structural damage and fatal injury to passengers. There have been many accidents with vehicles striking the sides of trains, however this incident was particularly devastating given the size of the truck.
The nearly 40 tonne truck which was travelling at 100|km/h was totally destroyed on impact with the carriages, its driver sustaining shoulder and head injuries.
Victoria Police
Victoria Police
Victoria Police is the primary law enforcement agency of Victoria, Australia. , the Victoria Police has over 12,190 sworn members, along with over 400 recruits, reservists and Protective Service Officers, and over 2,900 civilian staff across 393 police stations.-Early history:The Victoria Police...
confirmed that 11 people were killed and 23 injured in the crash, making this to date the deadliest Australian rail disaster since 1977. As of 11:00 am on the 6th of June, two passengers remained unaccounted for. The site was visited on the evening of 5 June by the Premier of Victoria, Steve Bracks
Steve Bracks
Stephen Philip Bracks AC is a former Australian politician and the 44th Premier of Victoria. He first won the electoral district of Williamstown in 1994 for the Australian Labor Party, and was party leader and Premier from 1999 to 2007....
, who called it a "horrific scene".
The train involved in the accident was a locomotive-hauled service from Swan Hill
Swan Hill, Victoria
Swan Hill is a city in the northwest of Victoria, Australia. It is located on the Murray Valley Highway, on the south bank of the Murray River, downstream from the junction of the Loddon River. At the 2006 census, Swan Hill had a population of 9,684.-History:...
that departed for Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
at 1:00pm, operated by a N class locomotive and three car N type carriage set
N type carriage
The N type carriages are an intercity passenger carriage used on the railways of Victoria, Australia. They were introduced between 1981 and 1984 as part of the 'New Deal' reforms of country passenger rail services...
. The collision caused the closure of nearby sections of the Murray Valley Highway
Murray Valley Highway
The Murray Valley Highway is a popular tourist route, which follows the south side of the Murray River in Victoria, Australia. The route effectively acts as the northern-most highway in Victoria...
.
Response
Emergency response was swift, with a number of seriously injured people airlifted to Melbourne while others were taken by road or air ambulance to nearby Kerang Hospital. The State Premier Steve Bracks flew to the crash scene on the evening of 5 June with the Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner Noel Ashby and the Opposition transport spokesman Terry Mulder, calling it a "horrific scene".Both the Federal Minister for Transport and Regional Services Mark Vaile
Mark Vaile
Mark Anthony James Vaile , Australian politician, is a former Deputy Prime Minister of Australia and former leader of the National Party of Australia.-Early life:...
and the Prime Minister
Prime Minister of Australia
The Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Australia is the highest minister of the Crown, leader of the Cabinet and Head of Her Majesty's Australian Government, holding office on commission from the Governor-General of Australia. The office of Prime Minister is, in practice, the most powerful...
John Howard
John Howard
John Winston Howard AC, SSI, was the 25th Prime Minister of Australia, from 11 March 1996 to 3 December 2007. He was the second-longest serving Australian Prime Minister after Sir Robert Menzies....
spoke to the media, offering Federal government aid to families as well as the investigative assistance of the Australian Transport Safety Bureau
Australian Transport Safety Bureau
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau is Australia’s national transport safety investigator. The ATSB is the federal government body responsible for investigating transport-related accidents and incidents within Australia. It covers air, sea and rail travel. The Australian Transport Safety...
. Leader of the Opposition
Opposition (Australia)
Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition in Australia fulfils the same function as the official opposition in other Commonwealth of Nations monarchies. It is seen as the alternative government and the existing administration's main opponent at a general election...
Kevin Rudd
Kevin Rudd
Kevin Michael Rudd is an Australian politician who was the 26th Prime Minister of Australia from 2007 to 2010. He has been Minister for Foreign Affairs since 2010...
said that he was "saddened and shocked" by the incident and went on to say that his "thoughts and prayers tonight are with those still fighting for their life in hospitals throughout Victoria."
V/Line announced it would support a full inquiry and had arranged counselling for the passengers and their families. Chief executive Rob Barnett said the incident would raise questions about the safety of level crossings, but asked everyone to resist jumping to conclusions. Train services between Bendigo and Melbourne were not affected by the accident, but buses replaced trains between Bendigo and Swan Hill until the crash site was cleared and the site released by accident investigators.
Due to the nature of land surrounding the accident site, some earthworks were required to provide a solid footing enabling heavy lifting to be used for the removal of rolling stock damaged in the accident. Once removed from the line, the damaged rolling stock was transported to Melbourne for further investigation, with some of the carriages still in storage in 2008.
The driver of the semi-trailer, Christiaan Scholl, was charged with one count of culpable driving and on 7 June was bailed to appear before Bendigo Magistrates Court on 19 December. A police spokesman stated that more charges are expected to be laid in due course. On 18 August 2008, Christiaan Scholl was committed for trial on 11 charges of causing death by culpable driving and 8 charges of causing injury by negligent driving. His trial began in Bendigo on 26 May 2009. On 13 June 2009, he was found not guilty on all charges. A group of crash victims indicated they would pursue a civil action against Scholl.
Incident
One survivor recalls, "A lady sitting across from me saw the truck and closed her eyes. You just wonder how anybody got out."Ursula McGuiness, General Manager for V/Line noted that the level crossing was protected with lights and bells, which were still sounding and flashing when emergency services arrived, but did not have boom gates
Boom barrier
A boom barrier is a bar, or pole pivoted in such a way as to allow the boom to block vehicular access through a controlled point. Typically the tip of a boom gate rises in a vertical arc to a near vertical position. Boom gates are often counterweighted, so the pole is easily tipped...
.
Recently, there had been timetable changes on the line according to Kerang resident and Shire of Gannawarra councillor Lui Basile.
On 15 February 2008, the Office of the Chief Investigator, Department of Infrastructure, released Rail Safety Report 2007/09, detailing the findings of the investigation into the collision. The report noted that the train, truck, and level crossing warning signals were all serviceable prior to the incident, and both the train and truck driver were familiar with their respective routes. The report noted that the truck driver did not agree to be interviewed by investigators, and concluded that "For reasons not determined the truck driver did not respond in an adequate time and manner to the level crossing warning devices."
Inquest
An inquiry into the Kerang rail disaster was due to begin on 18 January 2011, but was delayed by a day due to flooding in the region2011 Victorian floods
High intensity rainfall between 12–14 January 2011 caused major flooding across much of the western and central parts of the Australian state of Victoria...
. The inquest began on 19 January at the Coroner's Court in Bendigo. After a minute's silence
Moment of silence
A moment of silence is the expression for a period of silent contemplation, prayer, reflection, or meditation. Similar to flying a flag at half-mast, a moment of silence is often a gesture of respect, particularly in mourning for those who have recently died or as part of a commemoration ceremony...
, coroner Dr Jane Hendtlass heard evidence from the driver of the train. The inquest is scheduled to run over 58 days.
See also
- Railway accidents in VictoriaRailway accidents in VictoriaThere have been a number of train accidents on the railway network of Victoria, Australia. Some of these are listed below:* 4 May 2010: A Metro train collided with an Apex quarry freighter stopped at a signal south of Craigieburn railway station...
- List of disasters in Australia by death toll
- List of rail accidents (2000–present) – includes level crossingLevel crossingA level crossing occurs where a railway line is intersected by a road or path onone level, without recourse to a bridge or tunnel. It is a type of at-grade intersection. The term also applies when a light rail line with separate right-of-way or reserved track crosses a road in the same fashion...
accidents. - List of level crossing accidents