ATSB – RO-2018-004
Source: ATSB
The guard was standing near the closed exterior door of the rear driver’s/guard’s compartment as the train entered the station. He said he was watching the train’s CCTV surveillance screen. He became aware that the train braking was not slowing the train as it usually would. At the same time as he was thinking to apply the brake himself, the driver applied the power/brake handle to full brake application. The guard was thrown forward into the handrail on the leading bulkhead. The guard said he fell to the floor and had trouble breathing due to sustaining cracked ribs.
By 0951:38, the train had come to a complete stop. CCTV showed the guard at the open door of his compartment who then opened the passenger doors a few seconds later. The guard stumbled out onto the platform and crouched on his haunches clutching his ribs. He returned to his compartment and emerged later.
The driver stated that he was dazed but conscious following the collision. He remained in the lead driver’s compartment until 0952:25, when he emerged to walk around the platform and then returned to the cab. When interviewed, he stated ‘I was very shocked, disorientated and traumatised. I was trying to recollect and compose myself … but I was in so much pain’. He sustained injuries to his arm, hip and head. His injuries were mainly on the right-hand side of his body.
The triple zero emergency line first received a call about the incident at 0952:52. At 0953:40, the station manager called the Rail Management Centre to inform them of the accident and request assistance. The station manager was on the platform, next to the buffer stop, at the time of the collision. All three branches of emergency services attended this event. NSW Ambulance were first to arrive on scene at 1002. Shortly afterwards, a NSW Police inspector assumed command of the site.
At 0953:44, the driver called the Rail Management Centre and informed them that his train had struck the buffer stop. He gave a coherent account of the situation. A relieving guard who had been waiting on the platform checked to ensure that the driver did not require immediate treatment and then left to help injured passengers.
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