The truckie was airlifted to the Royal Melbourne Hospital in a serious condition after the crash with a V/Line passenger train which reignited debate over dangerous level crossing upgrades. 

The 41-year-old driver’s condition has since been downgraded to stable. Passengers on the train have spoken of their horror, likening the moment of impact to an earthquake. 

Former Ballarat resident Julia Thompson was in the last carriage of the V/Line train that was travelling in a westerly direction at the time of the crash. 

She sustained facial injuries – including swelling, suspected broken cheek bones and a suspected broken nose –  during the collision that occurred near Pirron Yallock at 3.45pm on Wednesday. 

“I was at the back of the train, all of the seats have food trays so there were a lot of facial injuries,” Ms Thompson said.

“I got on at Melbourne and had travelled for a bit over two hours. The impact woke me up, absolutely, a suitcase hit me in the face. (My face) is quite swollen and bruised.”

Ms Thompson climbed through the window of the carriage in an attempt to reach the driver of the truck, whose body she could see.

“I thought he was dead … but he moved his fingers,” Ms Thompson said.  She told The Courier of chaotic scenes as she and others aided injured passengers, using tissues to mop up blood. 

“It happened so quickly it was quite surreal and quite silent. I was thrown off my feet and went into a brace position.”  The Phalps Road crossing, where the near-fatal crash occurred, has no lights or boom gates. It was first fast-tracked for upgrades 17-months ago. 

The exact cause of the incident is yet to be determined and the investigation is ongoing. 

The planned $2 million upgrade announced in February last year would have been part of a $50 million Safer Country Crossings program, which aimed to improve safety at 52 roads and level crossing. 

 Local farmers on quad bikes who had heard the collision rushed to the scene and started to assist passengers until emergency services arrived.

 Increasing pressure has been placed on public transport minister Jacinta Allan by opposition to explain why the work had not been completed. 

Ms Allan said work was well underway and would be completed this year. 

"Work to upgrade this crossing began last year, the power and signalling work has been done, and the lights, bells and boom gates will be in by the end of the year,” Ms Allan said.

With The Standard