Re: Train Accident in Blue Mountains

["Dave Proctor" <daproc@sd5.mailbank.com>]

Dave Proctor <daproc@spambait.umpires.com> wrote in message
82499h$o5a$1@news1.mpx.com.au">news:82499h$o5a$1@news1.mpx.com.au...
> Further to this:
>
> I did not attempt to get anywhere near the accident scene, but from what I
> could see, there were 5 ambulances parked on the highway, and 20 in the
park
> opposite the highway. Whilst driving back to Penrith, we passed at least
> another 6 ambulances, as well as several HazMat fire brigade vehicles.
>
> Sky News will be on in a moment - will give the latest update from that
> ASAP.

Sky News suspended normal programming and are switching back and forth
between the collision and the ABA Cash for Comment inquiry.

11am update - 6 confirmed dead and 25 injured. The Indian-Pacific was
apparently stopped when the 0639 train from Lithgow collided with the rear
of the train.

Police have placed an air-exclusion zone over the scene. The terrain is
hampering radio communications, and the banning of aircraft will help in
this.

Fortunately, the IP was only a single consist, so the composition from the
rear was: motorail wagon, power van, crew car, sleeper - so there were three
cars between the rear of the train and the first passenger vehicle. The crew
car *should* have been empty at that time of day. In double consist mode,
the crew car is normally at the other end of the car.

Some media comments: they really do not have a clue. John Mangos (talking to
a GSR rep): "Can you confirm that the Inidan Pacific was on the same track
as the passenger train" - of course it was, it was there on vision for all
to see. Justin Kelly (2UE reporter): "There were over 1000 people on the
train."

The Red Cross is calling for people to donate blood to assist.

That is all from me for now - will update later.

--
DaveProctor
thadocta AT dingoblue.net.au