UPDATE, FRIDAY, 10.30AM: Police have indicated the car that was abandoned on the train tracks appears to have been left by accident.
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A Victoria Police spokesperson told The Courier this morning the car had become stuck on the tracks between Deer Park and Ardeer accidentally, with the driver forced to flee.
Although investigations are going, it does not seem the car was abandoned on purpose.
EARLIER, THURSDAY, 6.30PM: A peak hour Ballarat rail service has been thrown into turmoil tonight after a train carrying hundreds of passengers collided with a car.
The 5.50pm Melbourne to Ballarat train hit the car about 6.15pm between Deer Park and Ardeer, although it is not believed there was anybody in the car.
The crash, which also involved a separate train, has majorly disrupted the Ballarat and Geelong lines.
Police have told people on the scene the train came into contact with a car left on the tracks.
One person who was on the train, told The Courier they “heard a loud bang and scraping noise”.
“The lights went out and for a while there was nothing over the loudspeaker,” the commuter said.
“Eventually they told us to evacuate and said to all keep to the back of the train.”
Another commuter commented on The Courier’s post on Facebook said it was a scary experience.
“Petrol fuel smell filled the cabin, told to evacuate onto the tracks,” said Claire Bingley.
“Those trains don’t empty fast especially when they are overflowing and over crowded!”
Services home are expected to be backed up for hours and buses have been ordered for people on the train.
See the V/Line website for more details.