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Tragedies throw transport into chaos

Posted by: 3AW Radio | 14 November, 2011 - 12:02 PM
train

Melbourne's train system was thrown into chaos on Monday, with buses replacing trains on parts of the Glen Waverley and Frankston lines after two separate, deadly incidents.

A pedestrian was struck and killed by a train near Station Street at Aspendale station on the Frankston line at 11.09am.

Just before 10.30am a car was driven onto train tracks at Toorak Road, Hawthorn, on the Glen Waverley line. Emergency services tried to free the male driver from the wreckage but he died at the scene.

The car was stationary on a level crossing when the collision occurred.

Public transport and traffic delays triggered by the incidents continued into the afternoon but trains were running again by about 3pm. VicRoads released a statement saying Toorak Road had reopened, also about 3pm.

Ambulance Victoria spokesman Paul Bentley said members of the Metropolitan Fire Brigade tried to free the male driver from the wreckage of the car, which had been damaged extensively.

Mr Bentley said the car had been struck at a level crossing on Toorak Road, near Milton Parade, close to where Toorak Road crosses over the Monash Freeway in the Kooyong-Hawthorn area. Mr Bentley said the train involved in the collision had come to rest about 200 metres from the level crossing.

The incident sparked massive transport problems in the area, with Glen Waverley line trains suspended between Burnley and Darling stations, and Toorak Road blocked off by police between Glenferrie and Tooronga roads.

A spokeswoman for Metro trains said that trains were running again by mid-afternoon. There had been some cancellations, she said, but services were restored.

She advised commuters to consult the rail operator's website, www.metrotrains.com.au, for the latest information.

A man who called radio station 3AW earlier today said he had seen the male driver cross onto the tracks in the path of an oncoming train soon after fellow drivers had told him to drive clear of the level crossing.

The man, who was in a nearby car, saw two elderly women in another vehicle next to the victim’s car speaking to him in the moments before the collision.

‘‘Some ladies spoke to him just a couple of seconds before it,’’ the caller, Stephen, said.

‘‘The two ladies were speaking to him, maybe for 10 or 15 seconds then they obviously told him ... he was going the wrong way ... and then he just drove straight out.’’

Traffic travelling along Toorak Road is being diverted onto the Monash Freeway.

Motorists exiting CityLink at Toorak Road are being forced eastwards along Toorak Road.

A Metro spokeswoman said busses were replacing trains on the Glen Waverley line between Burnley and Darling stations, and on the Frankston line between Mordialloc and Frankston stations.

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Blog comments Your Say

  • Grade separate the Melbourne rail system now! I waited for 15 minutes in Clayton for three trains to pass thru the railway crossing, all the trains had to slow down whilst passing thru and cars were banked back for miles! It's not just Flinders Street Station that needs an "overhaul" !!!! The whole system is clearly a joke as I frequently drive for miles just to avoid being held up by boom gates.

    Perfect Tuesday 15 November, 2011 - 11:59 PM

  • Very much feeling for the poor train driver, emergency service workers and the witnesses - the innocent victims of this very sad tragedy.

    Jackie Tuesday 15 November, 2011 - 12:09 AM

  • Very sad.

    The pink elephant in the room is why

    KARMA MRA MGTOW Monday 14 November, 2011 - 2:01 PM

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