Two killed in crash at level crossing west of Melbourne
Updated ,first published
It was determined that the two men who died when their car was hit by a freight train at a level crossing in the Victoria region were locals of the region.
Emergency services were called to Reddies Road in Cressy, about 140 kilometers west of Melbourne, after reports of the incident at around 10.15am on Tuesday.
The 35-year-old Beeac man and the 22-year-old Cororooke man died at the scene. The train driver and two other personnel survived the accident.
Police said the circumstances surrounding the crash have not yet been determined.
Anyone who witnessed the incident was asked to contact the police.
Colac Highway Patrol Sergeant Jake Andrew said there were no signals or barriers at the crossing in the afternoon.
“Our understanding was that the vehicle was traveling southbound and stopped briefly before entering the train line and at this stage was unable to exit the train line for an unknown reason,” Andrew said.
The Australian Rail Track Corporation, the state-owned company that manages the country’s interstate rail network, said in a statement that it was investigating what happened.
A spokesman said the train was traveling from Perth to Melbourne and belonged to transport logistics service SCT.
“ARTC extends its deepest condolences to their families, loved ones and communities at this difficult time,” the spokesperson said.
The level crossing reopened just before 7pm on Tuesday evening.
The railway line on which the accident occurred is the main freight line between Melbourne and Adelaide and also carries the Overland passenger train twice a week in both directions.
The incident marks the first train-related death in Victoria since then. April 2023A truck driver has died after being struck by an empty V-Line passenger train in South Geelong.
This year, the number of casualties on Victorian roads has dropped from 20 to 11 in the first three weeks of 2025.
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