Safety concerns raised 16 months before fatal SA train-truck crash

Safety concerns about a stop sign at a railway crossing along a regional South Australian freight route were raised 16 months before a train and truck collided this week. Three workers — two train crew and the sole truck driver — were treated at the scene on Tuesday when a loaded grain truck and a freight train collided, leaving massive wagons toppled and debris scattered on Ceduna's Goode Road.

The freight train and truck collided at the Goode Road railway intersection in Ceduna. Police are investigating the cause of the crash and no charges have been laid, while SafeWork SA is undertaking its own investigation.

Local landowner Mario Nicholls questioned why concerns about the safety of the intersection were left unanswered after being raised with the local council 16 months ago. Mr Nicholls's brother is a train driver and he knew the truck driver personally.

"Just this week I was talking with my brother; I said, 'There's going to be an accident there sometime soon," Mr Nicholls said. "I was right."

Mr Nicholls raised the issue in a council meeting noting the placement of the sign at the incline of Goode Road meant it was "difficult" for road users, including road trains, to adequately stop.

District Council of Ceduna Mayor Ken Maynard said Mr Nicholls's concerns were repeated in the community.

"Some people raised that flashing lights would be more appropriate at the base of the road leading up to the crossing," Mr Maynard said.

The council passed a motion on Wednesday afternoon to discuss upgrades of the sign with Aurizon.

Aurizon changed the give way sign at the Goode Road level crossing to a stop sign in June 2025 "to improve all passive level crossings' safety in this regional area". A spokesperson said they were "unable to comment on any requests relating to traffic controls or signage enhancements, as these matters sit with the relevant road authority".

"We encourage all road users to remain alert and comply with all signage and controls at level crossings."

Mr Nicholls said this was the first time the railway crossing had been tested with the new signage in a busy harvest season, as last year's season was lacklustre due to years-long drought. Record rains are leading to what's expected to be a "once-in-a-lifetime harvest" for the region.

"We're not even 2 per cent into harvest yet so I worry about when it gets more active here and there's more trucks," Mr Nicholls said. "I think [Aurizon] should put stop signs at the bottom of the incline on each side."

He also advocated for an active level crossing, with gates or flashing lights, to alert road users that a train was oncoming.