Goodna rail incident - Duncan, Hayden; Duncan, Glen and Fisher, Reginald
Deceased
Hayden Eric Duncan, Glen Russell Duncan, Reginald Roy Fisher
Demographics
male
Date of death
2006-03-11
Finding date
2009-12-23
Cause of death
Hayden and Glen Duncan: multiple injuries due to train accident; Reginald Fisher: head injuries due to train accident
AI-generated summary
Three boys aged 8–10 were struck and killed by a train between Redbank and Goodna stations at night. A police officer had briefly warned them about railway safety 40 minutes before the incident. The train driver, despite being warned of rock-throwing children on the track, operated the train at approximately 80 km/h (the permitted maximum) with headlights switched off to protect himself from rocks. The coroner found the driver failed to moderate speed or keep headlights on—both customary safety practices when trespassers are reported. QR's policies on trespasser response were inadequate and lacked clear guidance. Recommendations were made to standardize terminology ('proceed with caution') and review inconsistent notices. The driver was not referred for prosecution due to possible honest mistake of fact regarding exact location, but disciplinary action was recommended.
AI-generated summary and tagging — may contain inaccuracies; refer to original finding for legal purposes.
Specialties
Error types
Contributing factors
- train driver operated at maximum speed without moderating for trespasser reports
- train headlights were switched off despite policy permitting them and custom favouring their use near trespassers
- driver protected himself from rock-throwing rather than protecting potential occupants of track
- children's exact location was not clearly communicated to driver
- inadequate QR policies on trespasser response—uncertainty and discretion rather than clear guidance
- train controller did not pass on trespasser information directly to incident train crew
- children were in rail corridor between tracks, not readily visible to approaching train
Coroner's recommendations
- QR review Notice to traincrew no. 134/2008 to ensure consistency with Module EP–1-20 Persons on QR right of way
- QR develop and use standardised meaning for terms 'proceed with caution' and 'proceed with extreme caution' in all policies and notices to employees
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