A cherry picker truck has crashed into a “low clearance” rail bridge in the New South Wales central west, killing a passenger who was trapped in the cabin by the collapsed structure.
NSW Police said an emergency operation was launched to free the 34-year-old trapped passenger after the crash on Inch Street in Lithgow at about 8.50am on Thursday, but he died at the scene.
The driver, 38, managed to free himself but the passenger was unable to escape the truck’s cabin. NSW Ambulance paramedics, Fire and Rescue NSW and NSW Rural Fire Service workers then worked for hours to free the man, but he could not be saved.
The men were both employed with Sydney Trains, and the driver has undergone mandatory testing.
Before the passenger was confirmed dead, Premier Chris Minns commented on the incident, describing the crash as “very troubling” and saying his thoughts were with the two injured workers, 7News reported.
“We’re thinking about those workers’ colleagues and family, and we’re hoping for good news soon, but obviously that would be distressing for everybody involved,” he said.
“It’s a reminder that when you’re dealing with heavy machinery, when you’re on the train network, it can often be difficult and dangerous work.
“We’re eternally grateful for the people that commit their lives to these professions.”
The incident comes a day after a truck carrying an excavator crashed into two bridges in Melbourne on Wednesday afternoon, throwing the city’s road and rail networks into chaos.
Header image: The scene of the crash (supplied).
