At approximately 1830 on Saturday 10 March 2007, a semi trailer partially loaded with hay bales drove into the path of empty grain train 3835 at the Tallabung to Back Creek Road level crossing, NSW. The semi trailer driver was fatally injured in the collision.
The train derailed and, with the crushed semi trailer underneath the leading locomotive, travelled 144 m further onto and over the timber and concrete rail bridge over the Back Creek watercourse. The leading locomotive came to a rest off the track on the embankment past the bridge; the other two locomotives came to rest on the bridge.
The wreckage caught fire following the collision, ultimately destroying all three locomotives, the bridge superstructure and the semi trailer. The train crew, although injured, were able to exit the leading locomotive and escape from the fire.
The investigation found that the semi trailer driver drove into the path of the train without stopping at the level crossing's 'Stop' sign. On the evidence available there was nothing the train crew could have done to prevent or lessen the impact with the semi trailer.
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Rail Safety Recommendation [ RR20080031 ]