Police believe a fatal accident at a level crossing in Werribee was caused when a car broke down, leaving the vehicle behind it stuck on railway tracks.
A 65-year-old Trugunina woman was killed when a train slammed into the stationary car at the level crossing in Cherry Street about 5.40pm, a Victoria Police spokeswoman said.
The woman was a passenger in the Toyota Corolla sedan. The car’s driver, believed to aged in her 30s, was freed from the vehicle before the train struck.
Investigators believe the younger woman had been driving north on Market Road when the car in front of her broke down causing her to stop on the tracks moments before a Melbourne-bound freight train was due.
She was taken to the Alfred Hospital in a stable condition.
The older woman’s death takes the road toll to 119, compared to 128 for the same time last year.
Anyone with any information about the accident has been asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
– with AAP
