 Initially, the Euroa Urban Fire Brigade, the nearest major fire service, was told of a collision between two trucks, and later of a truck hit by a train; firefighters were not aware that a major rail accident had occurred until they arrived on scene to find the burning wreckage.Over 100 firefighters eventually arrived from neighbouring districts to assist with the firefighting, rescue and recovery effort.Train controller McConnell observed the crash on his control panel and immediately reported the circumstances to his supervisor, and a recovery effort was shortly underway in Melbourne.