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Footage has been released of the moment a Queensland rail train smashed into a truck which had become stuck on the tracks, with an investigation finding nobody thought to raise the alarm before the collision.
An Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) report released on Thursday found the crash between the B-double and the commuter train with 300 passengers aboard occurred about 5 minutes after the truck became stuck.
Despite the ample warning time, the truck driver, other drivers, and witnesses did not alert authorities to the hazard, which resulted in the train network control officer allowing the train driver to continue.
Six people were injured in the 7am crash on August 14 last year at the level crossing in Runcorn, south Brisbane, and there was considerable damage to the truck and rail infrastructure.
The train driver applied the emergency brake just before impact and the train was able to continue to the next station, where remaining passengers disembarked.
The ATSB investigation found the truck became stuck when an airline malfunctioned between the A and B trailers.
Kerri Hughes, the ATSB director of transport safety, said the incident served as an example of what shouldn't be done under the circumstances.
'The truck driver attempted to fix the problem for about 4.5 minutes before the collision, but neither the truck driver, nor any bystanders, called the signposted reporting number, or triple-0,' Ms Hughes said.
The collision between the train and the truck happened on a level crossing in Brisbane's south
The truckie had tried to fix the issue for four-and-a-half minutes himself but did not alert authorities to the hazard on the tracks
'This accident, which fortunately did not result in any serious injury, serves as a reminder that accidental obstruction of railway tracks should be treated as an emergency, and reported to authorities as soon as vehicle occupants have been moved clear of the tracks.'
Queensland Rail has said it will conduct an independent review of level crossing procedures following the incident, looking at best practices from other railway operators.
'Queensland Rail welcomes the ATSB report into the collision between a B-double truck and train and echoes the ATSB's safety messaging that an obstruction of railway tracks should be treated as an emergency and reported immediately,' the spokesman said.
'The final ATSB report into the incident found that the actions of the train driver likely reduced the severity of the collision and reinforced the importance of motorists and witnesses knowing what action to take.'
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