Highway and line remain closed after horror crossing smash

The Murray Valley Highway just north of Kerang is expected to be closed until after the weekend and the rail line for an undetermined period, V&#47Line said today (Wednesday, June 6), after yesterday’s level-crossing disaster which claimed 11 lives. A spokeswoman for V&#47Line, which took back ownership of Victoria’s rail infrastructure from Pacific National this year, said freight disruption was minimal as there was on average of one service a week on the line between Swan Hill and Bandigo. Coronial, police and rail safety investigations are gearing up after a truck plouged into a passenger train 6 km north of Kerang, with a major focus on level-crossing safety. The truck appeared to ignore flashing lights and warning bells at the crossing &#8211 possibly because of the sun, residents told reporters. V&#47Line chief executive Rob Barnett said yesterday: &#8220Clearly this incident will raise questions again about the safety of level crossings. &#8220That is completely understandable when we experience a tragedy of this magnitude. &#8220We have reliable information that the level crossing flashing lights and warning bells had been activated and were operating at the time of the incident. &#8220However, I would ask everyone to resist jumping to any conclusions and await the outcome of what I can assure you will be the most comprehensive investigation possible.&#8221 The Australasian Rail Association has made repeated calls recently for a stronger, more unified approach by state and federal governments to level-crossing rules and safety, especially after the collision between a road train and the Ghan in December. &#8220Although railway level crossing accidents are of low frequency when compared to that of road accidents, they have extremely high consequences,&#8221 chief executive Brian Nye said at the time. He renewed the call a month ago, highlighting the potential for catastrophes involving &#8220the loss of many lives&#8221. Mr Nye is overseas at present while responses from the Victorian Transport Association and the Victorian Freight and Logistics Council were awaited. The disaster came two days after a fire on a Pacific National freight train at Tatyoon, near Ararat. Country Fire Authority regional operations manager John Athorn told Lloyd’s List DCN the driver stopped the train after seeing 6-metre flames from a rail truck near the rear at close to midnight on Sunday. The tarpaulined truck carrying wrapping plastic and steel products suffered extensive damage and a nearby reefer unit suffered some damage. Police put the cost of the damage at more than $100,000, the ABC reported. Four brigades attended the scene and an earth wall was built around the fire to hold burning liquefied plastic. The cause is unknown though there is conjecture that friction may have been involved.

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