Still dressed in hi-vis workwear, Kevin Pearson beamed into Adelaide Magistrates Court via video link from his cell at Port Pirie on Tuesday.

Pearson was charged with causing death by dangerous driving after a crash on the Barrier Highway, 35km from South Australia’s border with NSW on Sunday morning.

He had driven trucks for more than 50 years and continued to do so part time to supplement his aged pension, lawyer Kylie Pligl said.

Pearson has lung and prostate cancer and no significant criminal history, Magistrate Karim Soetratma heard.

With bail unopposed by the prosecution, Mr Soetratma released Pearson on the condition he provide a $1000 surety and report daily to Port Pirie police station.

The Queenslander has no place of residence in South Australia and will stay at a caravan park while on bail.

He is due back in court in April.

The two train drivers, identified as Mick Warren, 48, and Kevin Baker, 57, both lived at Port Augusta and were “cherished members of our close-knit community”, the local council said in a statement.

“This is an unimaginable loss that will reverberate throughout the entire Port Augusta Community,” Mayor Linley Shine said.

“Our hearts go out to the families, friends and work colleagues who have been left devastated by this tragic accident.”

The Rail, Tram and Bus Union said rail workers across the country were shattered by the tragic collision – “an extraordinarily sad way to end 2023”.

“The two workers killed were highly-respected members of the rail industry, and one was a long-standing RTBU Delegate from Pacific National’s Port Augusta depot,” Assistant National Secretary Shayne Kummerfeld said.

“The RTBU sends its deepest condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of the two workers. They will be dearly missed.”

The union said the incident underscored the urgent need to improve rail safety in Australia.

A spokesperson for Pacific National said the deaths were having a profound impact across the organisation and its first priority was to ensure the highest level of care to the drivers’ families.

The Barrier Highway was reopened to traffic on Tuesday with a 25km/h speed limit in the Bindarrah area expected to remain in place for three days.

Cranes brought in from Adelaide and Port Augusta helped to clear scores of shipping containers strewn across the highway. The road surface was also damaged in the crash.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau has launched an investigation into the crash and will release a report when it is finalised.

– with AAP