At least six people have died and more than 40 are wounded, 12 seriously, after a train crash in southern Australia, police say.
At least eight people have died in a train crash in southern Australia, which has left more than 40 people wounded, 12 seriously.
The Melbourne-bound passenger train collided with a lorry near the town of Kerang in central Victoria state in the early afternoon.
Police inspector Steve Gibson confirmed the death toll had risen from six. "I understand they are still searching the wreckage for missing people," he said.
Emergency teams rushed to the area and wounded passengers were being airlifted to surrounding hospitals.
The Melbourne-bound passenger train collided with a lorry in central Victoria state in the early afternoon.
Police said it was not yet clear what had caused the crash.
Police said it was not yet clear what had caused the crash.
The train was 40 minutes into its journey from Swan Hill, north of Kerang, to Melbourne when the collision happened at a level crossing at 1340 (0340GMT).
Emergency teams are at the scene and wounded passengers were being airlifted to surrounding hospitals.
"There are 12 with serious injuries and we've got around 40 people who are wounded," a police spokeswoman said.
'Big gaping hole'
"The truck driver ... has been taken to the Mildura hospital in a serious condition."
The train was 40 minutes into its journey from Swan Hill, north of Kerang town, to Melbourne when the collision happened at a level crossing at 1340 (0340GMT).
Unknown cause
One passenger who had been sitting in first class described the panic on board.
Six ambulance teams as well as two helicopters and two aircraft were immediately sent to the crash scene 10kms (six miles) north of Kerang.
"All we could hear was people screaming and crying and moaning - it was just awful, devastating," Sue Fyffe told Sky News television.
"It was just shocking, it was awful, there was just glass, and elderly ladies sitting there, I helped some of the elderly who had lots of cuts, some of them had broken bones."
Ms Fyffe said the truck hit the carriage behind hers.
"The truck just didn't stop, he tried. I don't know whether he didn't see the train until the last minute, but he tried to divert and hit the carriage behind me and we just felt it," she said.
"It just felt as if the whole train was going to derail. The carriage behind mine is just half gone; there's a big gaping hole in the carriage behind."
Airlifted
Six ambulance teams as well as two helicopters and two aircraft were immediately sent to the crash scene 10km (six miles) north of Kerang.
"We would think that about 50% of those injured will come here to Kerang hospital," hospital chief Robert Jarman said.
"We would think that about 50% of those injured will come here to Kerang hospital," hospital chief Robert Jarman said.
"Probably two or three would be airlifted out to Melbourne because there are some very seriously injured."
"Probably two or three would be airlifted out to Melbourne because there are some very seriously injured."
Local media reported that the level crossing had flashing lights but no gates.
Local media reported that the level crossing had flashing lights but no gates.
The transport minister, Lynne Kosky, was due to make a statement later.
The transport minister, Lynne Kosky, was due to make a statement later.
Were you on the train or know anyone who was? Do you live near the scene? If so, we would like to hear from you.
Were you on the train or know anyone who was? Do you live near the scene? If so, we would like to hear from you.
