ARTC Media Statement 1 – Rawlinna – Naretha Derailment
The Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) can confirm a number of wagons derailed from an intermodal freight train between Rawlinna and Naretha (WA) at around 2.50pm WST time Friday afternoon (4 December).
There were no injuries reported and emergency authorities were advised of the incident.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) attended the site yesterday evening and following investigations have now released the site to allow repair and recovery work to start.
ARTC maintenance crews are currently mobilising equipment and resources for transport to the remote location, however access is difficult with the main dirt road to the site affected by heavy rain and is currently closed.
Around 39 wagons derailed, and due to the scale of the wagon recovery needed, ARTC will build a track deviation around the derailment site as the quickest and safest way to return operations.
The deviation will be approximately 500m of new track, and a 250m long access road will need to be constructed to allow equipment, machinery and vehicles in to start repairs.
The preliminary forecast to return operations is Thursday evening WST (10 December). This timeframe is heavily weather dependent and reliant on getting essential heavy vehicles, materials and equipment in. ARTC will review this forecast by midday Tuesday WST once a clearer picture of the weather and initial repairs is available.
ENDS
Media Contact: Bas Bolyn, ARTC, 0477 340 658
nb. edit made 1.30pm EST 7 Dec, to correct spelling of Naretha.