Summons issued over truck and train crash in NT

Northern Territory Police have concluded an extensive investigation into a train derailment incident that occurred mid-last year, involving a fully-laden road train.

As a result of the inquiry, a 34-year-old man has been issued a summons to appear in court.

On June 14, 2023, the driver of the fully-laden truck was travelling along Florina Road towards Zimin Drive. Approaching a level crossing, the driver failed to observe the pre-warning light, level crossing, and boom gates.

Faced with insufficient room to bring the truck to a controlled stop, the driver attempted to accelerate across the tracks, resulting in a collision with a train. The incident prompted a large-scale response from emergency services.

Police will allege the driver was distracted using a handheld mobile device immediately before the collision. Four individuals, including the driver, sustained minor injuries and were transported to Katherine District Hospital for treatment.

In light of the investigation's findings, a summons has been issued to the 34-year-old truck driver, to appear before Katherine Local Court on February 19. He faces charges that include recklessly endangering life/serious harm, reckless damage to property, driving dangerously, careless driving, driving using a handheld mobile device, and entering a level crossing when warning lights were active.

Detective Sergeant Jeremy Brunton said: "This incident highlights the importance of obeying road signs and signals, particularly at level crossings. The consequences of disregarding safety measures can be severe, as witnessed in this incident."

Deputy Chief Fire Officer Joshua Fischer said at the time of the crash: “It is incredibly lucky no one was seriously injured in this collision.

“I commend the work of everyone involved as without the fast deployment of firefighting resources to the location, we would have potentially seen a large bushfire take hold in the area."