At 1118 Eastern on 1 January 2009 a laden waste disposal
truck drove into the path of The Sunlander passenger train at the
Aerodrome Road level crossing, Mundoo (near Innisfail) North
Queensland. The two lead locomotives and following six carriages
derailed in the collision. As a result of the collision the truck
driver was fatally injured. Both of the train drivers, nine
passengers and four QR on-board staff members sustained minor to
moderate injuries. Of those injured, six passengers and one QR
employee were taken to hospital for observation.
The investigation was conducted by the Department of Transport and
Main Roads in accordance with provisions of Queensland's Transport
Infrastructure Act 1994 (the Act), independently chaired by a
senior rail safety investigator of the Australian Transport Safety
Bureau.
Rail safety in Queensland is regulated by the Department of
Transport and Main Roads. All railway managers and/or railway
operators within Queensland are required to be accredited in
accordance with the Act. The Department of Transport and Main
Roads' role in rail safety also includes the investigation of
railway incidents.
The final report is available on the Queensland Transport
website.
