Truck driver involved in fatal train smash in North Queensland says it was an “accident waiting to happen”.
The truck driver involved in a fatal train smash in North Queensland says a faulty signal made the crossing an “accident waiting to happen”.
Two passengers are dead and many more injured after the tilt train service derailed and collided with the truck near Cardwell yesterday afternoon.
The driver, who sustained serious back injuries in the crash, has told the ABC the crossing lights had been faulty for three hours prior to the collision.
He says he reported the issue to authorities but no action was taken.
Queensland Transport Minister John Mickel has called for an investigation into the crash.
The minister says the accident is shocking and the Government will do “whatever we can to assist and expedite investigations into the cause and circumstances of this accident”.
The State Emergency Service has set up road blocks on the Bruce Highway to the north and south of the accident scene.
Deacons Lawyer Michael Hammond, an occupational health and safety specialist who has covered similar accidents in Victoria, has previously told ATN rail crossing accidents are too often blamed on drivers who simply cannot see the train approaching from their position in the cabin.
The industry has recently called for better signalling and in-truck warning devices to prevent crossing accidents.