Ghan crash near Adelaide latest level crossing incident

<p>The Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) has re-opened a section of track near Two Wells in South Australia after a collision there between the Ghan passenger train and a semi trailer yesterday (Monday, August 6).</p> <p>The Australian Transport Safety Bureau is investigating the crash, which occurred at a dirt level crossing about 20 km north of Adelaide.</p> <p>Several train passengers were treated for minor injuries and shock, while the truck driver was hospitalised suffering from non-life threatening chest injuries.</p> <p>The ARTC said the line had re-opened by 4.10 pm, just over four hours after the incident.</p> <p>The accident, the seventh major level crossing crash in the last 12 months, has prompted more calls for tighter controls on level crossing regulation.</p> <p>FreightLink has been disrupted by many of the accidents, which typically occur at crossings without signals.</p> <p>But FreightLink chief executive John Fullerton said the time had come for greater controls on heavy vehicles using level crossings, particularly at rural junctions.</p> <p>&#8220You’ve either got grade separations, automatic signals with flashing lights or you’ve got stop signs, which are normally at those country crossings which have infrequent traffic,&#8221 Mr Fullerton said.</p> <p>&#8220If you talk to the rail industry across Australia, they’re all saying that there is an increase in these incidents, particularly with heavy road vehicles.</p> <p>&#8220The biggest concern the rail industry has got is the large trucks, because they’ve got the greatest potential for loss of life.</p> <p>&#8220The road industry has to take a far more active role in getting the message through to their employees and operators about compliance with level crossings.&#8221</p> <p>Better enforcement, education and regulation was needed, he said. </p> <br />