Investigation number
RE-2008-014
Occurrence date
Location
Rungoo
State
Queensland
Report release date
Report status
Final
Investigation level
Systemic
Investigation type
External Investigation
Investigation status
Completed
Occurrence category
Accident
Highest injury level
Fatal

At 1447 on Thursday 27 November 2008, the northbound Cairns Tilt Train (CTT) collided with a loaded B-double truck  at the Rungoo level crossing, about 19.5 km north of the township of Ingham in north Queensland. On board the CTT were 81 passengers and seven train crew. The truck driver was the sole occupant of the B-double truck.

The two train drivers were fatally injured as a result of the collision, the truck driver sustained moderate injuries. In addition, injuries were incurred by nine passengers.  The investigation was conducted by the Department of Transport and Main Roads in accordance with provisions of Queensland's Transport Infrastructure Act 1994 (the Act), independently chaired by a senior rail safety investigator of the Australian Transport Safety Bureau.

Rail safety in Queensland is regulated by the Department of Transport and Main Roads. All railway managers and/or railway operators within Queensland are required to be accredited in accordance with the Act. The Department of Transport and Main Roads' role in rail safety also includes the investigation of railway incidents.


The final report is available via Queensland Transport.

Train Details
Train number
Cairns Tilt Train VCQ5
Train damage
Substantial
Departure point
Brisbane, Qld
Rail occurrence type
Level Crossing
Destination
Cairns, Qld
Rail Operation Type
Passenger Train