http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/20 ... 245654.htm
Tilt Train was speeding, QR says
Police and Queensland Rail (QR) have confirmed that the Tilt Train involved in a derailment in central Queensland this week was travelling more than 50 kilometres per hour above the speed limit when the accident happened.
The Tilt Train came off the tracks north of Bundaberg early Tuesday morning, injuring 120 people on board.
In a joint statement, police and Queensland Rail say the train was travelling at 112 kilometres per hour along a section of track where the limit is 60kph.
Queensland Rail chief executive Bob Scheuber says preliminary investigations show the train was going too fast.
"I believe that the train was travelling in excess of the speed for the 60 kilometre per hour curve," he said.
"That's a view that we've ascertained from looking at some of the information that has come through. Clearly the event recorders are absolutely crucial in determining that speed.
"Just from the observations when you look at where the train is and that sort of thing, you sort of form a view that speed was a contributory factor.
"I don't know to what extent. I'm not going to speculate. I'm just going to be honest with you and say that's an obvious thing we are considering."
Mr Scheuber says it is not known for certain if speed was the only cause of the crash.
"At this stage we can't be absolutely sure of that," he said.
"It would be one of the contributing factors. I can't be absolutely sure as to whether speed alone has caused that. I'm not discounting that it could be speed alone, I just don't at this stage know."
The speed limit on the curved section of track where the crash occurred is 60 kilometres per hour, although on the straight section of track before the crash site the speed limit is 150 kph.
Mr Scheuber says Queensland Rail has not yet taken any statements from the two drivers, one of whom is still in hospital.
He says there are a lot of factors for investigators still to consider.
Queensland Transport Minister Paul Lucas is disturbed by the news that speed was a factor.
"I'm concerned to hear about that but of course we have independent investigators and we want to let them do their job," he said.
"That's why the Queensland regulator invited ... a Commonwealth-state investigation and I'm concerned with the accident full stop.
"I want to see what the answer is and have a look at some solutions when the report comes out."
