Queensland Rail driver killed in train collision west of Rockhampton

A train driver is dead and two others are injured after a Queensland Rail locomotive and a coal train collided west of Rockhampton.

RACQ CapRescue attends the scene of a train collision near Westwood, 50km west of Rockhampton, on 18 June, 2021.

RACQ CapRescue attends the scene of a train collision near Westwood, 50km west of Rockhampton, on 18 June, 2021. Source: RACQ CapRescue via AAP

A Queensland Rail train driver is dead and two others are injured after a locomotive and a coal train collided west of Rockhampton.

The three drivers were all on the locomotive when it collided with a coal train on the Aurizon rail network, about 11.30am on Friday, Queensland Rail chief executive Nick Easy said.

Police say the driver who died was a 49-year-old man from Margate, north of Brisbane.
Another driver, 43, suffered a broken leg and was flown to Rockhampton Hospital. The third driver, 41, sustained minor injuries and was taken to the hospital by road.

Police have said both trains were westbound but it's unclear if both were moving at the time of the crash.

The RACQ CapRescue helicopter service, which attended the scene, said it appeared one train was stationary and was hit from behind by the other.

"We are deeply saddened and distressed by the incident and our priority is the welfare of our people and the families of the drivers involved," Mr Easy said in a statement.
He said the Rail Safety Regulator and Workplace Health and Safety Queensland would investigate the cause of the crash

"Given the nature of the incident, it is not appropriate to comment or speculate further on the potential cause."

The Capricorn Highway had to be closed for about two hours so the helicopter could get access to the scene.

Forensic Crash Unit investigations are continuing.


Share
2 min read

Published

Updated

Source: AAP, SBS


Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world
Queensland Rail driver killed in train collision west of Rockhampton | SBS News