Rail safety investigations & reports
Level Crossing Collision between XPT Passenger Train ST24 and Passenger Car; Thurgoona Road, Albury, NSW
2006006

Summary
At approximately 1322 on 5 June 2006, a passenger car (a 1986 Holden Commodore sedan) drove into the path of XPT passenger train (ST24) at the Thurgoona Road level crossing, on the northern edge of Albury, New South Wales.
The driver of the passenger car was fatally injured during the collision.
The investigation concluded that the effect of non-prescription drugs on driver performance and driver distraction due to mobile phone operation were safety factors which contributed to the collision.
Coroner’s findings
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau notes that on 25 October 2010 the New South Wales Deputy State Coroner, William Brydon, delivered his findings in the inquest into a death arising from the collision of a passenger car and the XPT-ST24 train at a level crossing on Thurgoona Drive, Albury NSW. The ATSB had previously investigated this accident and published its finding on this website.
The Coroner's findings were substantially in accordance with those of the ATSB.
The Coroner made a recommendation that consideration be given to the placement, in each case where visual impairment is caused to road users by construction or earthworks, of a boom gate. The Coroner did not conclude it should be done in every case; but in the interests of transport safety and to protect people from the prospect of inadvertence.
ATSB Response:
The ATSB notes that the issue of whether to place boom gates at
level crossings is a matter for assessment by the Australian Rail
Track Corporation. The ATSB wishes to draw attention to Part
5.1 of its Final Report at page 24 regarding level crossing traffic
control systems. The Thurgoona Road level crossing was
controlled by flashing lights and bells. These remove the
need for drivers to sight an approaching train before deciding
whether to proceed across the level crossing. Boom barriers
provide an additional visual and physical barrier between road
vehicles and trains.
Cooperation with Coroners:
ATSB investigations are conducted with the objective of providing
findings that can be used to improve transport safety in the
future. Coronial Inquests are a separate process to the ATSB
investigation and they are usually supported by their own
investigation and brief of evidence. However, as Inquests
also have the objective of seeking to prevent a death occurring
again, the ATSB provides cooperation through the explanation of the
ATSB's findings in its report. The ATSB appreciates the
interest of Coroners in working with the ATSB in the interests of
improving future safety.
General details
Date: | 05 June 2006 | Investigation status: | Completed | ||
Time: | EST | ||||
Location: | Albury | ||||
State: | New South Wales | ||||
Release date: | 29 June 2007 | Occurrence category: | Accident | ||
Report status: | Final | Highest injury level: | Fatal |
Train details
Train registration | ST24 | |
---|---|---|
Type of operation | Passenger Train | |
Damage to train | Minor | |
Departure point | Melbourne VIC | |
Destination | Sydney NSW |
Injuries
Crew | Passenger | Ground | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Fatal: | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Total: | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |