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 via Queensland Transport.
