Truck becomes wedged under Warrnambool’s Simpson Street bridge

Southbound traffic was blocked for several hours and the Melbourne to Warrnambool passenger train delayed by about 15 minutes until the stricken 10-tonne Isuzu delivery truck operated by Ballarat-based J & T Freighters was towed free.

The bridge was checked for structural damage and the train held at Camperdown before the official all-clear to continue to Warrnambool rail station.

According to the hapless truck driver, who declined to give his name, it was the most embarrassing incident in his 45-year career as a truckie.

"I've been driving road trains, had my own truck business, been all over the place and this is the first time I've got stuck under a bridge," he said.

"This is not my usual route - I was heading to do a street delivery."

His delivery schedule was completed later after the load was transferred to a local Whalers Freight van.

He can take some comfort in the fact that other drivers have had similar predicaments in the past including a garbage truck in 2011 and a bus and other trucks earlier.

Clearly marked by a "Low clearance 3.4 metres"  sign it is the lowest rail overpass bridge in Warrnambool and one of the lowest in regional Victoria.

Warrnambool policeman Constable Andrew Kirkpatrick, who attended yesterday's accident, urged all drivers to exercise caution when driving under low bridges.

"Never take anything for granted," he said.

V/Line spokeswoman Ebony Jordan also urged drivers to be vigilant around crossings, bridges and railways.