 Two carriages in each train were telescoped.On Wednesday, 2 April 1884, the 8.20 p.m. goods train from Melbourne to Geelong received the staff from the porter at Werribee station and proceeded to Little River, where the train was to cross with the 7.10 p.m. passenger train from Geelong to Melbourne.In the unauthorised absence of the Werribee stationmaster at choir practice, his 17-year-old daughter inexplicably telegraphed to Little River that the line was clear.