An investigation has been launched after a freight train was reportedly derailed twice in one night and sustained “serious damage” on its way to Dunedin.<\/p>\n
The Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) has confirmed it is investigating reports of two derailments which involved the same KiwiRail freight train on the Main South Line last night.<\/p>\n
The incident has resulted in closure of the line, affecting up to 12 freight services.<\/p>\n
A commission spokesperson said the derailments reportedly involved the train\u2019s rolling stock, which remained upright “but sustained serious damage”.<\/p>\n
There were no injuries to people.<\/p>\n
It had collected evidence which showed the train appeared to derail around the time it arrived in the Dunedin rail yard last night, about 10pm.<\/p>\n
It had also received reports that the same train had derailed earlier in the night, near Allanton, but this was yet to be confirmed, the spokesperson said.<\/p>\n
An investigator was currently on site looking for signs of the first derailment, but any evidence of this was yet to be found.<\/p>\n
Derailments were always a safety concern, the spokesperson said.<\/p>\n
“Double derailments involving the same train are unusual.<\/p>\n
“After the [reported] first derailment, this train passed over numerous level crossings and through tunnels.”<\/p>\n
The commission opened an inquiry when it believed the circumstances of an accident or incident had or were likely to have “significant implications” for transport safety.<\/p>\n
The initial focus was on gathering evidence that could disappear or change.<\/p>\n
“TAIC\u2019s investigators will also be seeking and securing electronic and documentary records and interviewing the people involved.<\/p>\n
“We are interested in the locomotive and its rolling stock, their individual and type histories, performance, maintenance, equipment and design.”<\/p>\n
A team of three had been appointed to investigate and rail inquiries mostly took between 18 months and two years, the spokesperson said.<\/p>\n
A KiwiRail spokesperson said they were investigating possible causes after two derailed wagons were found at the Dunedin rail yard yesterday,<\/p>\n
“As it was not initially clear where the derailment had occurred, the Main South Line from Dunedin south was shut as a precaution until it could be inspected and NZTA and TAIC were notified.<\/p>\n
“It is now not clear if there was a prior derailment.”<\/p>\n
Safety was always the priority and KiwiRail took all derailment incidents seriously, the spokesperson said.<\/p>\n
The line had been inspected but remained closed pending clearance.<\/p>\n
Up to 12 freight services were affected by the closure.<\/p>\n
An NZTA Waka Kotahi spokesperson said they had been informed of an incident and were aware KiwiRail and the TAIC were looking into it.<\/p>\n
Dunedin Railways general manager Rebekah Jenkins said a Taieri Gorge train service was scheduled for tomorrow.<\/p>\n
They were “hopeful” it would still be able to operate, subject to track availability, she said.\u00a0<\/p>\n