On 5 June 2007 the V/Line passenger train 8042 was struck by a loaded semi-trailer at a level crossing on the Murray Valley Highway approximately six kilometres north-west of Kerang. The train was en route from Swan Hill to Melbourne and the semi-trailer was on a regular freight run from Wangaratta Victoria to Adelaide South Australia. When the incident occurred the level crossings flashing lights and warning bells were operating.

The semi-trailer collided with the second passenger car of the three passenger car train. A large section of the body-side was torn away by the truck trailer and several seats on the right side of the car were torn from their mountings. The truck trailer then struck the front right corner of the third car breaching the occupied area. The draft yoke connecting the second and third cars fractured and the third car derailed both cars. Eleven train passengers died; a further 14 passengers and the truck driver were injured.

The incident was reported by the train driver and others at the scene and the emergency service unit arrived on site at 1350 hours. The Murray Valley Highway was opened to normal road traffic on 8 June 2007 and the rail line was re-opened on 12 June 2007.

A coroner’s inquest in 2013 resulted in 25 recommendations, including changes to level crossing warnings and emergency response procedures.