Helensburgh New South Wales Fire Brigade responded to a train derailment 3km's south of Waterfall.

On arrival rescue services had some problems gaining access to the incident situated at least one and a half kms down a bush track from the Princess Hwy. Rescue equipment was carried to the incident.
As exhausted rescue personnel arrived, the grim reality was evident.
Power lines were down that carry 1,500 volts DC, rescuers were unsure if the power had been cut off and had to take great care. Some passengers were sitting at the sides off rail tracks being treated by Ambulance members while others were still on the train.

NSWFB were given the rescue task working with other agencies. More then 80 firefighters mostly from Sydney's Southern suburbs and Wollongong attended the incident. Operations were coordinated by Rescue Instructor Warwick Kidd with other senior NSWFB officers that led the inter service rescue.
Incident Command System was organized, ICS is to coordinate all services. This system worked well during the incident. Rescue, as other tasks went as smoothly as possible given the conditions that we all had to work under.
Our first task was search and rescue and this took about four hours as it was difficult getting around all the twisted metal and other objects that were all about the area.
There were four double decker cars, two were on their side and the other two lead cars were badly damaged. The top decks had been partly torn off as they slid along rock walls.
Navigate incident site below at map link
"See diagram link here from Ref / Sunday Telegraph 2/2/03"

"Brave and caring deeds observed of passengers"
A young lady we had found sitting across a seat said to us to help others first and as I looked at her leg it seemed badly injured. Many passengers were seen helping and caring for others.


There were reports of eight dead at this stage and at least 40 injured not confirmed.
Many were transported to hospital with serious injuries.

The Incident Command System worked well and all services worked within a well coordinated structure.
This was projected by the premier Bob Carr as also the media.
The NSW Deputy Chief Coroner and NSW Government Premier Bob Carr visited the site and thanked rescue workers for their work that helped so many in the harsh conditions found at the derailment site.
NSWFB 325 Helensburgh were stood down from rescue duty at 14:23hrs. State Rail, Police, Ambulance, some NSWFB, Rural Fire Service and SES units stayed on to assist if needed.
Counselling services have been offered to fire service members via NSWFB Critical Debrief Team as also the Salvation army.