9am, Wednesday
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$1/
(min cost $8)
Login or signup to continue reading
The Mary Gilmore Way at Bribbaree and rail line network between Stockinbingal and Parkes is expected to reopen about midday on Wednesday.
Young Police Inspector Jacob Reeves on Tuesday afternoon said Weddin Shire Council staff, RFS personnel and contractors were working into the night to repair the rail line, level crossing and roads, following a truck and train collision.
"It was a complex scene consisting of two separate areas of focus in which we had a fire burning to be contained and put out. Fire exclusion zones were put in place for smoke," he said.
"We also had to manage the confronting scene with damage to the truck, train and steel load scattered over road. It was a challenging multi-faceted scene requiring different approaches.
"Fire and Rescue NSW and RFS did an outstanding job. RFS personnel stayed on all day for fire suppression and Weddin Shire Council did fantastic with road closures and salvage of the truck. Emergency services appreciate the assistance and cooperation of Pacific National and the the ARTC [Australian Rail Track Corporation]. All emergency services and the rail industry are glad we aren't dealing with a loss of life. We're very happy, despite the damage, that the driver went home from work today."
The response included extinguishing and removing the container and supplies, heavy vehicle salvage of the truck and trailer, removal of steel, and separating and towing the train.
Repairs to the track, level crossing and roads started later in the day.
Inspector Reeves said rail and road services were hoped to be restored in the early to mid-afternoon on Wednesday.
The driver of the truck, a 24-year-old man from The Rock, is expected to make a full recovery.
2pm, Tuesday
The rail line between Stockinbingal and Parkes remains shut on Tuesday following a crash at a level crossing near Bribbaree.
The Australian Rail Track Corporation [ARTC] said a reopening time was "unknown" at this stage, however confirmed the line will not reopen on Tuesday due to extensive damage.
The ARTC were alerted to a collision between a freight train and heavy vehicle about 7.05am.
"A freight train driver reported a heavy vehicle had collided with the front wagons of the train, resulting in the derailment of one of the wagons and also generating a fire," a spokesperson for the ARTC said.
"Following the incident, the locomotives were disconnected from the wagons of the train and moved away - noting the fire.
"ARTC is continuing to work with emergency services to contain the scene with expected track reopening times unknown at this stage. Due to extensive track damage, it will not be today."
The ARTC said about five to 10 freight trains may be affected from Tuesday's track closure.
At 2.15pm, the Mary Gilmore Way at Bribbaree remained closed in both directions.
Diversions are in place for northbound traffic to use Bribbaree Road and southbound traffic to use Morans Road.
More to come.
9am, Tuesday
A man has been taken to Young Hospital on Tuesday morning after a truck and train collided at a level crossing near Bribbaree.
The truck was travelling north-east on Mary Gilmore Way about two kilometres north-east of Bribbaree Road when it collided with a freight train about 7am.
The driver of the truck was taken to Young Hospital for treatment.
A container being carried by the train was dislodged and sparked a fire in a paddock on the north side of the rail line.
It has since been extinguished by Rural Fire Service and Fire and Rescue firefighters.
The freight line and Mary Gilmore Way is closed.
Traffic diversions are in place.
"The truck was carrying a lot of steel and it's going to take sometime to move it," Inspector Jacob Reeves said.
ALSO MAKING NEWS:
