Level Crossing Accident, Chapple Street, Kalgoorlie, Western Australia, on 14 May 2007

At 1915 on Monday 14 May 2007 a south-west bound Australian Railroad Group mineral train collided with a south-east bound motor vehicle which was traversing the Chapple Street level crossing in Kalgoorlie, WA. The driver of the car sustained minor injuries, the train drivers were uninjured.

ATSB investigators established that the flashing lights, bells and boom gates did not operate at the time of the accident. The investigation found that a temporary wiring strap had inadvertently been left in place by engineering staff while making modifications to signalling circuitry and while procedures governing the use of the temporary wiring straps existed, this did not prevent the mistake.

In the interest of enhancing future road/rail safety, WestNet Rail, the company responsible for the maintenance of level crossing, has adopted recommendations that address various safety issues, including the need to re-examine risk assessment and engineering maintenance/testing procedures.

Rail Recommendations [ RR20070028 ] [ RR20070029 ] [ RR20070030 ] [ RR20070031 ]