At approximately 6.14 am on 1 December 1956, the Westlander crashed into the Western Mail at Wallumbilla, near Roma, south-west Queensland (467 km west of Brisbane). The two trains were intended to cross at the station. However, the 345 tonne Westlander passed through a danger signal without slowing and hit the stationary 200 tonne mail train head on, pushing it back 46 m, and derailing both engines and many carriages. Five passengers on the mail train were killed, and ten sustained injury. The Westlander had steel carriages that aided its 500 passengers from any serious injury.