Regulator states ‘healing train’ struck handicapped train it was sent out to recuperate Authorities have actually started an examination after an accident including a self-governing Rio Tinto ore train early today. Western Mine Workers Alliance KARRATHA, Western Australia– An autonomously run iron ore train of Australia mining business Rio Tinto hit a set of fixed automobiles early today, thwarting 3 engines and 22 vehicles, the Australian Broadcasting Co. reports. A Rio Tinto representative informed ABC the occurrence happened simply after midnight which there were no individuals in the area of the accident some 80 kilometers (50 miles) from Karratha in the sparsely inhabited Pilbara area. The business has actually started an examination. The Office of the National Rail Safety Regulator stated it had actually been notified of a crash in between a crammed ore train and a healing train, with an ONRSR representative stating in a declaration that the healing train had actually hit the train it had actually been set to gather after the very first train was disabled by a mechanical failure. “ONRSR is examining the event and will be making a series of queries, the declaration stated. “At this phase, these are concentrated on the operation of and adherence to signaling systems in the location.” The Mining and Energy Union challenged Rio Tinto’s claim that there was nobody in the location of the mishap, stating in a news release that 5 employees fixing the handicapped train needed to leave after getting a mayday signal that a crash will take place. “If these employees were positioned at the back of the train at the time of the occurrence, we might have seen deadly results,” stated Greg Busson, Mining and Energy Western Australia secretary. Busson stated the union was looking for a description why Rio Tinto’s “foolproof” security systems had actually not worked. It is the 2nd derailment of a Rio Tinto train this year– an occurrence likewise happened in February– and 3rd in a year. Thirty automobiles of a train hindered last June [see “Investigation begins after autonomous ore train derails …,” Trains News Wire, June 19, 2023]Before that, there had actually been simply one event in 2018. Rio Tinto has actually originated making use of self-governing operation of heavy-haul freight trains on its mining railways in the Pilbara, an effort that started in 2012 [see “Rio Tinto train completes first crewless trip,” News Wire, Oct. 5, 2017]– Updated at 8:25 a.m. CT with details from Mining and Energy Union.
Self-governing ore train associated with accident in Australia – Trains – TRAINS Magazine
