Train driver faces $4.5 million fine after driver killed during training session
- Train driver died in a train accident
- Queensland Rail faces fines of up to $4.5 million
Queensland Rail has been charged with safety breaches following an investigation into a fatal train crash two years ago.
Chris O’Brien, from Margate, north of Brisbane, was killed on 18 June 2021 when the locomotive he was driving collided with a coal train during a training session at Westwood, near Rockhampton in the far north of Queensland.
Two other railway security guards were also injured in the accident.
The Office of the National Rail Safety Regulator (ONRSR) has filed three charges against Queensland Rail following an investigation into the fatal rail crash.
It faces fines totaling $4.5 million for the alleged violations.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau published its preliminary findings of its investigation in September 2021, where it analyzed all recorded data from the locomotive’s engine data logger and other sources.
Margate man Chris O’Brien (pictured) was killed in a train incident near Rockhampton in 2021
The report found that the Queensland Rail locomotive, used for driver training at the time, was running in a westerly direction and was being run in reverse.
The Aurizon powered coal train was stopped at the Westwood Loop, about 28 miles from Rockhampton, when the locomotive hit it at 11:26 am.
“The light engine (locomotive) and five cars of the coal train were significantly damaged,” the report said.
Of the three occupants of the light motorcycle, one was slightly injured, one seriously injured and one fatally injured.
“The two coal train drivers were unharmed.”
The report said Mr O’Brien was qualified for about four months and his co-driver was qualified for six months.
Their mentor, who was the third person on board, had nine years’ experience with another company and three years with Queensland Rail and had worked as a qualified instructor for five years.
ONRSR will claim that Queensland Rail has failed to fulfill its safety obligations as an accredited rail operator under the Rail Safety National Law (RNSL).
The matter is being pursued in the interest of railway safety as part of our role to enforce compliance with the RSNL, and in the public interest to ensure the safe conduct of railway operations and promote public confidence in railway operations ONRSR said. .
Under the state railroad safety law, the maximum fine applicable to a rail operator for these types of violations is $1.5 million per violation.
The case is expected to go to a Brisbane court in June.
Emergency services were called to the June 2021 Westwood train collision (pictured)
A Queensland Rail spokesperson said they remain ‘deeply saddened’ by this incident and the loss of a colleague.
“We continue to support the family of the deceased as well as the other two drivers and their families,” the spokesman said. “At Queensland Rail, safety is paramount.
“We remain committed to operating a safe railway and to learning from this incident and doing everything we can to prevent a recurrence. We want to make sure that when our people come to work, they work safely and go home safely.’
She said Queensland Rail has implemented a comprehensive program to improve safety on the network since the incident, including ‘restrictions in our safety and environmental management system for all operators on the QR network and hazard prevention activities’.
“We have worked with the National Rail Safety Regulator and other authorities to improve rail safety and will continue to do so.”
Queensland Rail said they will not challenge the prosecution.