DRIVERLESS RIO TINTO TRAIN SPILLS NEAR DAMPIER

Social media users shared images of the derailed train on Sunday. Credit: Facebook.

An autonomous Rio Tinto train derailed on Saturday night near Dampier, leaving no injuries.

A Rio Tinto spokesperson confirmed the train was loaded and around 30 wagons carrying iron ore were derailed.

“Rio Tinto confirms a train derailment occurred about 6:30pm on Saturday night, about 20 kilometres from Dampier in the Pilbara,” the spokesperson said.

“The safety and wellbeing of our people and communities is our top priority. The train was in autonomous mode and no one was injured in the incident. 

“We have started an investigation into the incident and notified the appropriate regulators. The regulator has approved recovery of the site and work to recover the derailed wagons has commenced.”