At approximately 12.25 hrs on Sunday the 26th of September 2010, a fatal collision occurred between a cement train and an ATV at a train crossing through a private access road running off Mersey Main Road at Spreyton.

The collision occurred when a 17 year old male riding the ATV north along an access road to private driveways, failed to stop at the stop sign controlling the train crossing, as the train approached. The rider and ATV were hit by the east bound train and as a result the rider was thrown under the train and was killed instantly.

The driver of the train, a 52 year old male, was uninjured. He activated the emergency braking and the train travelled approximately 200 metres before it came to a stop. The rail line was blocked for 6 hours whilst Police conducted investigations into the collision.

Members from the Devonport Fire Brigade, Tas Rail and Rail Safety Officers attended the scene, as did Police Officers from Devonport Police, Latrobe Police, Western District Forensic Services, Western District Traffic Services and Western District Accident Investigation.

Police would like to reiterate to members of the public the importance of taking extreme care when negotiating level crossings and the importance of obeying stop signs controlling such intersections.

Witnesses are asked to contact Western District Accident Investigation.

Tasmania Police Media
(03) 6230 2296