THE Pirron Yallock train crash has developed into a political issue with the state opposition demanding to know why the level crossing has not yet been upgraded.
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Member for South West Coast Roma Britnell and Opposition Planning Minister have both called on the state government to explain why it had not followed through on its promise to upgrade the crossing by the end of last year.
Public Transport Minister Jacinta Allan responded that detailed design and planning work had been done for the installation of boom gates at the crossing and the gates were due to be installed “by the end of this year”.
Ms Allan said the crossing was in an isolated area and it was a considerable task to get power to the site for the signalling and other electrical equipment.
Meanwhile train services between Warrnambool and Melbourne are expected to be replaced for most of the journey by buses until early next week while the line is repaired.
The condition of the 41-year-old male truck driver injured in the crash, who was airlifted to a Melbourne hospital, improved overnight on Wednesday from critical to serious.
A total of 19 people were injured and taken to hospital after the crash.
The crash’s investigating officer, Sergeant Shane Howard of Colac police, said it appeared the truck had stopped for a brief time at the crossing before going across the line.
“It appears the truck driver failed to give way,” Sergeant Howard said.
