Exceeding track speed caused a KiwiRail freight train in South Otago to derail, a report has found.
Photo: Supplied / KiwiRail
The Transport Accident Investigation Commission released its final report after the derailment in March last year at Clinton. The derailment caused damage to the wagons, track and a signal.
The three rear wagons derailed as the train exited a crossing loop while on en-route from Invercargill to Dunedin, overturning two of the wagons.
The Commission found the train exceeded the maximum speed after the driver became distracted on a downhill section of the track.
The wagons were fully loaded with coal.
The Commission says KiwiRail worked to address the safety issues and it will offer no further recommendations.
