Statement can be attributed to ATSB Chief Commissioner Angus Mitchell
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau has commenced a transport safety investigation into the derailment of a freight train and its subsequent collision with a coal train at Marmor, Queensland, on Sunday evening.
The ATSB has deployed a team of transport safety investigators, with experience in train and railway operations and maintenance, from its Brisbane and Canberra offices, to commence the evidence collection phase of this investigation.
Once on site, investigators will examine the railway infrastructure and rollingstock in-situ, documenting evidence and removing any relevant components for further examination at the ATSB’s facilities in Canberra.
Likely further investigation activities will include interviewing the drivers, operations staff and any witnesses, reviewing operator procedures, analysing any recorded information, and examining relevant components.
The scope of the investigation and its timeframe will be determined as the ATSB builds its understanding of the nature of the event.
Should any critical safety issues be identified at any stage during the course of the investigation, the ATSB will immediately notify relevant parties so appropriate safety action can be taken.