Final report
Abstract
At about 19321 on 30 March 2008, freight train 1MA6Q, travelling from Melbourne to Adelaide, derailed on the Mt Emu Creek bridge near Pura Pura, Victoria. Twenty-one wagons derailed, coming to rest on the track past the bridge abutment. As a result of the derailment, some containers burst spilling their contents onto the rail corridor and the adjacent public road.
The investigation determined that the derailment occurred as a result of a failed rail due to fatigue cracking emanating from an unused bolt-hole.
Rail safety recommendations
[ RO-2008-004-SR-011] [ RO-2008-004-SR-012]
1. The 24-hour clock is used in this report to describe the local time of day, Eastern Daylight Tme (EDT), as particular events occurred.
Occurrence summary
| Investigation number | RO-2008-004 |
|---|---|
| Occurrence date | 30/03/2008 |
| Location | Pura Pura |
| State | Victoria |
| Report release date | 19/06/2009 |
| Report status | Final |
| Investigation level | Systemic |
| Investigation type | Occurrence Investigation |
| Investigation status | Completed |
| Mode of transport | Rail |
| Rail occurrence category | Derailment |
| Occurrence class | Accident |
| Highest injury level | None |
Train details
| Train number | 1MA6Q |
|---|---|
| Type of operation | Freight train |
| Departure point | Melbourne, Vic |
| Destination | Adelaide, SA |
| Train damage | Substantial |