Two men tragically killed in a horrific crash involving a truck and a train have been identified, as the driver of the heavy vehicle is charged over the incident.
A Pacific National freight train collided with a truck at Bindarrah in South Australia on Sunday morning, about 30km west of the NSW border.
Kevin Baker, 57, and Mick Warren, 48, both from Port Augusta, were in the train when it was struck at a level crossing on the Barrier Highway and both men died.
The train and truck were travelling in opposite directions along the highway when the smash occurred.
The 75-year-old Queensland truck driver was taken to Broken Hill Hospital with minor injuries and has since been charged with two counts of causing death by dangerous driving.
He did not apply for bail and will remain in custody until he appears at Port Pirie Magistrates Court on Tuesday.
Mick Warren (pictured), 48, was killed on Sunday when a train he was working on collided with a truck at Bindarrah in South Australia
Kevin Baker (pictured), 57, who was also killed in the crash, leaves behind his partner, four children and five grandchildren with a sixth on the way
The train and truck were travelling in opposite directions along the highway when the smash occurred
The two men were experienced train drivers, each having served more than 10 years with the company, Pacific National.
Mr Baker’s sister, Wendy Barnes, said his death was ‘devastating’ and the community would be mourning the loss.
She said he leaves behind his partner of 29 years, Petrea Ellis, and children Taryn, Rhys, Tyler, Dylan and Joel, as well as five grandchildren with a sixth on the way.
‘We are gutted by his loss,’ she told The Advertiser.
Mr Warren’s friend, Chris Baker, said he joined the rail industry in the late 1990s as a junior, and was regarded as easy to work with and had a ‘no nonsense’ attitude.
Mr Warren was a keen golfer and had won several A Grade championships at the Port Augusta Golf Club.
He was also a respected Rail Tram and Bus Union delegate who ‘didn’t carry on’.
‘He wasn’t a nonsense rep. He was real, down to earth,’ Mr Baker said.
Golf club members made a toast to Mr Warren’s life at a New Year’s Eve gathering.
The 75-year-old truck driver has been charged with two counts of causing death by dangerous driving
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau is investigating the horrific incident
South Australian Police and emergency services responded to the incident about 10.30am on Sunday .
The impact of the crash caused the train to catch fire, with several carriages derailing and tipping over, blocking the entire highway.
The Barrier Highway remains closed in both directions between Peterborough and the NSW border, with expectations it will re-open Tuesday.
Travellers from NSW will not be able to enter South Australia on the Barrier Highway.
NSW Police and other emergency services have been helping SA Police and Major Crash Investigators at the scene.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau is investigating the incident and will deploy Adelaide-based transport safety investigators with experience in train and railway operations to the site.
The deaths of the two men mark the 115th and 116th lives lost on South Australia’s roads in 2023 compared to 71 in 2022.
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