THE AUSTRALIAN Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has begun an investigation into Tuesday’s Victorian rail crash that left two dead.
The transport safety investigation is into a collision between a utility vehicle and a freight train at a level crossing in western Victoria on Tuesday morning.
An ATSB statement said the collision occurred around 10.15 am local time at the Reddies Road passive level crossing at Cressy.
“Tragically, two people in the utility vehicle were fatally injured. The train drivers were not physically injured, and the train remained on the tracks,” the statement said.
The independent, ‘no blame’ transport safety investigation will be conducted by Victoria’s Office of the Chief Investigator under a collaboration agreement with the Australian Transport Safety Bureau.
A team of investigators arrived on site on Tuesday afternoon to begin the investigation.
A final report will be released at the conclusion of the investigation. Should a critical safety issue be identified during the investigation, relevant parties will be notified immediately, so that appropriate safety action can be taken.
Police have identified the victims as a 35‑year‑old Beeac man and a 22‑year‑old Cororooke man. Both died at the scene after the ute was struck and split in two, according to ABC News.
Police say the ute came to a brief stop before entering the crossing and may have stalled or hesitated on the tracks.
There were no lights or gates on the crossing, which only had a warning sign.
The freight train was travelling from Perth to Melbourne, operating on the interstate standard‑gauge network.
The train remained on the tracks, but the Hamilton Highway was closed and has since been progressively reopened.
No confirmed long‑term disruption to the freight corridor has been reported.