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Yesterday, Friday 28th April 2006, train 8140, the 1530
up Ararat to Southern Cross service consisting of a single VLocity
Unit (VL29), collided with a semi-trailer hauling a 12 tonne
bluestone block at the unprotected Ercildoun Rd level crossing
(153.411km from Melbourne), three and a half kilometres from
Trawalla in the states west, at around 4pm.
The
collision resulted in the fatalities of two people aboard the train
– a 42 year old Pacific National freight train driver from Altona
North, and a 68 year old female passenger from Cambrian Hill in
central west Victoria.
The
train’s driver was airlifted to Melbourne’s Alfred Hospital after
being freed from the wreckage of the trains cab.
Thirty
six passengers were treated at Ballarat Base Hospital yesterday
evening, with thirty four discharged after being examined and
treated. One passenger remains in a serious but stable condition,
and the other is believed to be discharged within the next few
days.
The 55
year old driver of the semi-trailer, who was also taken to Ballarat
Base Hospital for an examination, has been assisting police with
their enquiries.
Victoria
Police, the coroner, and the Department of Infrastructure are
presently undertaking separate investigations into the incident.
The
accident has caused disfiguration of the track, and as this article
goes online, the line is yet to be cleared. V/Line have announced
that until further notice, all Ararat line rail services have been
suspended between Ballarat and Ararat, with replacement coaches
running in lieu of trains.
The site
author’s thoughts are with the family and friends of the deceased
and those involved in yesterdays horrific crash.
V/LineCars.com will keep viewers up to date with informative and
factual information relating to this accident.
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