A high-voltage wire which fell onto a train in Sydney earlier this year, trapping 300 passengers and causing massive commuter disruption, was identified as a risk as early as 2020, a rail safety review has found.

The Minns government on Tuesday released the findings of the “sobering” report, which was commissioned following the Homebush incident in May. The study identified the need for extra care of critical assets on the city’s ageing heavy rail network.

The review found the response to the incident, including a three-hour operation to detrain trapped passengers, was too slow. Communication by Sydney Trains was inadequate, the report said, which contributed to widespread delays rolling into a second day. Police officer charged with assault after Hannah Thomas injured at pro-Pales

See Full Page