Vic crash victim 'sent to wrong hospital'

A Victorian coroner has found that a man who died after the 2007 Kerang rail crash should have been transferred to a hospital closer to the site.

A man who died after being transferred to a Melbourne hospital following the Kerang rail crash should have been treated much closer to the site.

Harold Long was one of 11 people killed after a semi-trailer collided with a V/Line passenger train near Kerang, in northwest Victoria, on June 5, 2007.

After initial assessments by paramedics, the 58-year-old was transferred by plane to Royal Melbourne Hospital but died a short time later.

Coroner Jane Hendtlass found that Mr Long did not need to be sent the 280km to Melbourne when he could have been treated at a closer hospital.

"Under the trauma protocols and in Mr Long's condition, he should have been transferred to the nearest designated trauma service, that is Swan Hill or Bendigo Hospital," Dr Hendtlass said in findings released on Monday.

Dr Hendtlass found that the collapsed lung suffered by Mr Long may have developed because of the transfer.

The condition likely contributed to his further deterioration and death, Dr Hendtlass said.

During the inquest, flight paramedic Troy Fosbender said the decision to fly Mr Long to Melbourne was made by command people at the accident scene.

He said it was an appropriate decision given Mr Long's age, history of heart problems and the belief he may have suffered spinal and head injuries, and may have needed to have a leg amputated.

"Mr Long needed an extreme level of care which could only be provided at a trauma centre," he said.

Mr Fosbender told the inquest he was unaware of the facilities available in Kerang.