The six-carriage train was a smashed and crumpled mess following the collision. 89700 Picture: DONNA OATES
By CASEY NEILL
MAJOR Collision Investigation Unit detectives are appealing for anyone who saw the truck involved in the Abbotts Road collision prior to the accident, to come forward with any information.
Police said the white Western Star prime mover with a semi-trailer, six axles and burgundy coloured curtains left the Footscray Market along Footscray Road about 10.30am on Saturday.
It travelled south on the Bolte Bridge to the Monash and South Gippsland freeways before heading west along Abbotts Road.
They’re particularly interested in speaking to the driver of a white Kenworth Cabover prime mover towing a semi-trailer with white curtains seen driving through the crossing moments before the crash.
Police are also appealing for any passengers who left before emergency services arrived to contact them.
Paramedic Andrew Watson said it was “a pretty sad scene” and the train driver “was lucky to escape”.
“A number of the passengers on the train had managed to extricate themselves so we were met by quite a few of them walking up to us,” he said.
Mr Watson said the main injuries were lumps and bumps and some minor soft tissue injuries, but the train driver suffered some chest trauma.
“But he was talking to us. He knew what was happening,” he said.
“The amazing escape here has been the truck driver.
“He’s stopped the prime mover 150 metres up the road wanting to know what happened to the back of his load.
“We’ve assessed him as well. Apart from being in shock and very saddened about what’s happened, he’s fine.”
Detective Inspector Maurice Lynn told media at the scene that a search of the train located a man in cardiac arrest under “quite a bit of rubble”.
“The truck was laden with potatoes and other vegetables and a lot of that went into the train,” he said.
Paramedics tried to revive the 43-year-old Cranbourne West man but he died at the scene.
Public Transport Victoria chief executive Ian Dobbs said at the scene that early indications were the train driver was in no way at fault.
“At this stage there doesn’t seem to be any anomaly with the barriers. As you can see, they’re in the down position at the moment,” he said.
“It would appear that the truck has actually struck the barrier because you can see the barrier is actually broken.”
Dandenong South’s Membrey’s Transport and Crane Hire removed the final carriage from the track on Tuesday night.
Metro Trains is yet to confirm when rail services will resume.
Police will prepare a report for the coroner. Any witnesses should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit www.crimestoppers.com.au.
