Probe into Melbourne train crash

Two investigations will begin today into last night's train crash in Melbourne when five people were taken to hospital.

A Metro train slammed into the back of a freight train at Patullos Lane near Craigieburn in Melbourne's outer north just after 8.30pm.

Ambulance Victoria paramedic said no-one had suffered any life threatening injuries and there were only 13 people on the train at the time.

Public Transport Safety Victoria will investigate the incident while an internal Metro Trains investigation will take place.

Paramedic Stephen Moody said when crews arrived there were a number of injured people still on board the passenger train and that it was chaotic.

Paramedics spread out across two carriages and next to the tracks to assess 15 people, including two people on the freight train.

Those injured include the driver, a 45-year-old man, who was lucky not to have been killed after his cabin was smashed in in the crash.

He may have been knocked out but refused to be taken to hospital with a head injury until all those on board were being looked after, Mr Moody said.

A 15-year-old-girl was taken to Royal Childrens hospital with suspected spinal injuries, a 22-year-old woman and a 22-year-old-man were taken to the Royal Melbourne Hospital and a 39-year-old-woman was taken to the Northern Hospital with a suspected broken chest bone and bruising.

"All those involved were understandably shaken by what had happened and were quite distressed, but we managed to get all those injured out of the carriages within about 20 minutes," Mr Moody told reporters.

"Thankfully no one has been left with critical injuries. However, extra care was needed moving those who were hurt, given the potential for spinal injuries in such an accident."

Police, who attended the scene with Worksafe officers, believe the Pacific National train was stationary but that would be confirmed in the investigation, a spokesman said.

Sergeant Phil Nash of Broadmeadows Police said both trains were travelling north at the time of the crash.

"It appears the freight train was waiting for clearance to continue travelling north," he told AAP.

Metro replaced trains on the line from Broadmeadows with buses, which will affect peak hour commuters on Wednesday.

It has not yet been determined whether the Metro train was running on time, a Metro spokesman said.

The train is not believed to be part of the troubled Siemens fleet that has had braking problems and is a 25-year-old Comeng model.

- AAP