An early morning accident involving a train and two cars has left 5 people hospitalised and the train line being replaced with buses instead – train services have resumed since 1:00 p.m.
The accident happened around 7 a.m. after a car was rear-ended into a train-track in the south-easter suburb of Officer, which ended both the cars on the train tracks. The drivers were exchanging details when the boom gates at the level crossing came down, alerting the drivers of an incoming train. The occupants were able to get out of the way, but the train smashed into the cars. One car was pushed into the boom gates, which were smashed by the collision. The other was pushed about 150 metres along the train tracks before becoming trapped under the train.
The driver, a 44-year-old man from Officer, and two children who were inside the car, were taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The couple were also taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The train’s 84 passengers and two Metro staff who were on board were uninjured.
Trains were stopped in the area, with drivers told to expect delays. Public Transport Victoria spokeswoman Georgia Main said the train driver was forced to apply the emergency brakes.
