The scene of the train crash early this morning (26 September) on Mary Gilmore Way near Bribbaree. Photo: NSW RFS South West Slopes Zone Facebook.
UPDATE 26 September, 11:30 am: The incident has resulted in the full derailment of five wagons, and two wagons are partly derailed. The train was not loaded at the time of the accident.
The ARTC is working with Pacific National to get the two partly derailed wagons back on the line. There is some damage to the track; however, the full extent of that damage will not be known until all the wagons have been removed.
The line will be closed for the rest of the day while investigations and site inspections continue.
26 September, 10 am: Emergency crews are on site after a freight train and B-double truck transporting sheep collided at the Mary Gilmore Way level crossing near Bribbaree, about 50 km northwest of Young, early this morning (26 September).
It’s understood the truck was travelling in a northerly direction towards Grenfell, and the train – a Pacific National bulk haulage service – was travelling east towards Quandialla, when the accident occurred at about 6:40 am, causing the train to derail.
Early reports indicate the truck driver, a female passenger, and the train driver escaped serious injury, although the passenger, a woman in her 20s, was transported to Young Hospital for treatment of minor injuries.
At least 12 sheep have died as a result of the crash.
Officers attached to the Hume Police District are on scene and being assisted by the NSW Rural Fire Service.
Police have confirmed an investigation is underway into the circumstances surrounding the crash and motorists are advised to avoid the area as emergency services work to clear the scene.
The crash has already reignited community anger, with the crossing already the site of two serious train–truck collisions in recent years.
The truck driver is receiving treatment for minor injuries. Photo: Supplied.
In February 2020, a driver from the Riverina town of The Rock was travelling northeast on Mary Gilmore Way when his truck collided with the front wagons of a freight train.
That crash resulted in a derailment but the driver escaped the wreckage.
In December 2022, a second major collision occurred at the same crossing when a prime mover, travelling west on Mary Gilmore Way, collided with an eastbound freight train.
The impact caused the trailer to break away from the prime mover. However, the truck driver – a man aged 50 – was not injured.
Representations from NSW Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke led to safety enhancements at the site in 2023, including new battery and solar-powered advance warning lights and illuminated stop signs.
Replacing the previous passive stop signs, radar-activated orange ‘wig wag’ lights flashed if motorists failed to slow down to prepare to stop at the level crossing.
Additionally, LED stop sign lights remained constantly illuminated in daylight to increase driver awareness of the stop sign, flashing if incoming drivers still did not slow to stop.
The Bribbaree enhancement was one of three deployed across the state as part of a $1.8 million two-year State Government trial and was officially unveiled by NSW Minister for Regional Transport and Roads, Jenny Aitchison, in July 2023.
Closed-circuit television monitored the performance of the system at each site, with the data analysed to ensure safety at the three crossings improved.
Cootamundra MP Steph Cooke said the crossing where the incident occurred is known to locals for the worst of reasons.
“It has been the site of numerous incidents and is one of several passive train crossings in our region where we have repeatedly called for the installation of boom gates and flashing lights to prevent accidents and save lives,” she said.
Ms Cooke said although the crossing was upgraded in 2023 with a radar-activated LED stop sign and advanced warning signs as part of a NSW Government trial to improve driver awareness at passive crossings, it is clear that more needs to be done.
“The speed limit on approach is 100 km/h, and multiple drivers have reported that the early morning sun makes visibility almost impossible,” she said, “with proper active warning systems in place, accidents like today’s will likely occur again”.
Ms Cooke said she has made urgent representations to the Minister this morning calling for boom gates and flashing lights and has emphasised that this situation can no longer be addressed with band-aid solutions.
“The safety of our residents must be prioritised,” she said.
The minister’s office has been contacted for comment.
Original Article published by Edwina Mason on About Regional.
