Collision between an over-dimensioned road load, and rail over road bridge No.98, on Opaki-Kaiparoro Road, between Eketahuna and Mangamahoe, Saturday 2 October 2004
Status
Closed
Occurrence Date
Report Publication Date
Jurisdiction
NZ
Legacy Inquiry Number
04-125
On Saturday 2 October 2004, at about 1015, an exhaust outlet at the top of a bulldozer being conveyed on a road trailer collided with the underside and damaged rail over road bridge No.98, located at 117.95 km on the Wairarapa Line, about 9 km south of Eketahuna.
A nearby farmer who had heard the collision reported details of the damage to train control. The person sent to inspect the damaged bridge inadvertently inspected 2 undamaged bridges located nearby before informing train control the track was safe and clear for traffic.
Two days later on Monday 4 October, another farmer contacted Transfield Services directly to advise of the unsafe condition of the bridge. The bridge was closed to rail traffic and only re-opened after major repairs had been completed.
Safety issues identified included:
- the movement of an over-dimension road load without surveying clearances on the intended route
- the special inspection process of rail over road bridges
One safety recommendation has been made to the Chief Executive of New Zealand Railways to address these issues.
A nearby farmer who had heard the collision reported details of the damage to train control. The person sent to inspect the damaged bridge inadvertently inspected 2 undamaged bridges located nearby before informing train control the track was safe and clear for traffic.
Two days later on Monday 4 October, another farmer contacted Transfield Services directly to advise of the unsafe condition of the bridge. The bridge was closed to rail traffic and only re-opened after major repairs had been completed.
Safety issues identified included:
- the movement of an over-dimension road load without surveying clearances on the intended route
- the special inspection process of rail over road bridges
One safety recommendation has been made to the Chief Executive of New Zealand Railways to address these issues.
Location
between Mangamahoe and Newman (-40.719081,175.722089) [may be approximate]