Investigation number
RO-2020-002
Occurrence date
Location
Wallan
State
Victoria
Report status
Interim
Investigation level
Systemic
Investigation type
Occurrence Investigation
Investigation phase
Final report: External review
Investigation status
Active
Occurrence category
Accident
Highest injury level
Fatal
Anticipated completion

Investigation update published 1 May 2023

The ATSB investigation into the XPT derailment at Wallan Loop on 20 February 2020 is now in the external review phase.

The draft report was released to directly involved parties on 27 April 2023 under Section 26 of the Transport Safety Investigation Act 2003, which provides that the ATSB may provide a draft report, on a confidential basis, to any person whom the ATSB considers appropriate.

Section 26 allows a person receiving a draft report to make submissions to the ATSB about the draft report. Any submissions from those parties will be reviewed and, where considered appropriate, the text of the draft report will be amended accordingly, and the report finalised. 

The external review phase also provides the opportunity for directly involved parties to provide the latest update on safety actions taken to address identified safety issues. These safety actions are then reported in the final, published report.  

The investigation is being led by Victoria’s Chief Investigator, Transport Safety (CITS), which investigates rail accidents in Victoria on behalf of the ATSB under a collaboration agreement using the powers of the Transport Safety Investigation Act 2003.

The investigation is also being supported by the ATSB and NSW’s Office of Transport Safety Investigations (OTSI).

Train Details
Train number
ST23
Train damage
Substantial
Departure point
Sydney, New South Wales
Rail occurrence type
Derailment
Destination
Melbourne, Victoria
Rail Operator
NSW TrainLink
Rail Operation Type
Passenger Service