A tragic accident has happened in Victoria Australia at this stage 8 are confirmed dead with the toll expected to rise. A semi trailer ran into the side of a passenger train opening up the carriage like a sardine can. See the following link for more information Level Crossing Accident My condolences to the families of those who have lost loved ones and prayers for those who have been critically injured.
11 now confirmed dead, 23 injured, 6 still critical. 3 people on the passenger manifest still missing. Cheers David
That photo was front page of "The Press" here in Christchurch. A real tragedy I can't belive how much damage was done to the passenger cars. I really feel for those who where on board.
The truck hit the second car of the train (loco and 3 cars). The 2nd and 3rd cars broke away. They all derailed but remained upright. Cheers David
Good Lord, what kind of truck was it? One loaded with cement? Normally the train suffers no damage and the truck is destroyed. It looks as though the truck ripped the sides of the passenger cars open. Terrible. :sad:
our requirements for passenger car strength are not as stringent as that of the FRA. The N class cars involved in the derailment are basically a sheet of steel rolled around a mold with holes cut into if for doors and windows. any thought to strength would be at the ends because railway managers here are more afraid of their own stuff running into each other than external forces. the truck cab was destroyed (the driver somehow survived - but in the end he'll probably wish he didn't) and the trailer basically folded in 2 - don't know what the load was but it didn't look heavy alot of carboard boxes and styrophome (spelling) what your look in at there is velocity, train travelling at 90km/h hit sideswiped by truck doing 100 or so km/h
Those are truly awful images. Usually rail cars are designed to withstand end on impact, rather than sideswipes. The poor people stood no chance.