Freight crash cuts Adelaide to Melbourne line

<p>Rail freight services between Adelaide and Melbourne will remain closed until the middle of next week after a truck caused the derailment of a freight train in Victoria yesterday morning (Thursday, May 25), killing the truck driver. </p> <p>The truck hit the side of the Pacific National freight train at a level crossing near Lismore, 170 kms south-west of Melbourne.</p> <p>The collision derailed two locomotives and 44 wagons, cutting the Great Southern Railway, which operates freight and passenger services between Adelaide and Melbourne.</p> <p>Pan Australia Shipping’s managing director Paull Van Oost said this morning that it was considering a request to move freight in the interim &#8220if required&#8221.</p> <p>&#8220Pan Australia shipping has confirmed that it has been contacted by Dubai Ports (DP World) and numerous shippers seeking a coastal solution out of Adelaide,&#8221 Mr Van Oost said.</p> <p>A spokesperson for Pacific National said it had been a significant derailment for the operator.</p> <p>A Victoria Police spokesperson said the body of the driver could take days to retrieve. The train driver and his observer were not injured.</p> <p>The Australian Transport and Safety Bureau (ATSB) has begun an investigation into the accident.</p> <br />