POLICE are appealing for witnesses to help their investigation into a fatal collision between a truck and a train at Dandenong South last Saturday.
Major Collision Investigation Unit detectives say a prime mover with a trailer was travelling west on Abbotts Road when it struck an outbound commuter train shortly after 11.40am.
A 43-year-old Cranbourne West man died at the scene, and 11 other passengers were hospitalised with ‘‘minor injuries’’.
SEE: ‘I can’t explain the horror of it all’
SEE: Truck appeared to crash into gates.
CLICK HERE for our gallery showing cranes clearing the tracks.
CLICK HERE for our gallery of the tragic aftermath.
CLICK HERE for our gallery from Saturday night.
CLICK HERE for more images from the crash site.
The white-coloured Western Star prime mover with a semi trailer, six axles and burgundy coloured curtains, had left the Footscray Market on Footscray Road around 10.30am and travelled south on the Bolte Bridge to the Monash Freeway.
The truck then headed south on the South Gippsland Freeway, before exiting the freeway and travelling west on Abbott Road towards the collision site.
The 30-year-old train driver, Trevor King, was conveyed to The Alfred hospital where he remains in a serious condition.
The truck driver, a 69-year-old Narre Warren North man, has been interviewed and released by police.
Detectives also want to speak to the driver of a white Kenworth cabover prime mover, towing a semi trailer with white curtains. Soon before the crash, it was seen driving ahead of the truck that was struck by the train.
Any information to Crime Stoppers on 1800333000 or www.crimestoppers.com.au.
