NSW: Glenbrook train accident drivers could not communicate

AAP General News (Australia)
02-14-2000
NSW: Glenbrook train accident drivers could not communicate

The drivers of the two trains involved in the Glenbrook rail disaster had no means
of communicating directly with each other the inquiry into the accident has heard today.

Seven people died and 51 were injured in a collision between the Indian Pacific and
a commuter train near Glenbrook Station in the New South Wales Blue Mountains, on December
2 last year.

Acting Justice PETER MCINERNEY opened the inquiry in the NSW Supreme Court, saying
it wasn't a witch hunt but is devoted to finding the facts and causes of the accident.

Counsel assisting CHRIS BARRY, QC, tendered timetables, aerial photographs, rail network
plans and tapes of communications between the drivers and signallers.

Mr BARRY said the two trains should have arrived at Glenbrook 10 minutes apart if they'd
been running according to timetables.

He said the drivers of the two trains had contact with signallers but not with each other.

The accident followed a signal failure near Glenbrook.

AAP RTV mh/tsm/smf

KEYWORD: TRAIN (SYDNEY)

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