On 15 November 2003, a collision between a train and an abandoned car causing a partial train derailment at Ballan, west of Melbourne. Bound for Ballarat with 67 passengers, the train collided with the car at Bostock Creek, approximately three kilometres west of Ballan. The train's front carriage derailed immediately, proceeding along a bridge and detaching before rolling and falling down an embankment. The second carriage just remained on the railway line, grounded by the third carriage which stayed on the rails. The car was destroyed while all three sprinter trains required major repair work after the incident.

The accident prompted a large emergency services response to rescue approximately 43 injured people, including the driver who was trapped in the overturned carriage. Two men were charged over the incident.