'Carnage': Dramatic images show freight train derailment in Victoria

Police have described the scene of a freight train derailment near Geelong as "carnage".

Containers spilled off the tracks before 6am on Monday, near the Hamilton Highway between Inverleigh and Gheringhap in Victoria's west.

Vision taken from the 9News helicopter showed carriages piled up on top of one another in the aftermath of the crash.

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Victoria Police Sergeant Craig Grant said it was lucky the driver was not injured and there were no passengers on board.

"We don't go to a lot of train accidents however there were multiple carriages piled on top of each other," he said.

The State Emergency Service (SES) has said eight wagons were on the train, none of which were carrying dangerous goods.

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An Australian Rail Track Corporation spokesperson said the derailment occurred at 5.30am and led to the closure of the Melbourne-Adelaide rail corridor.

"The Office of the National Rail Safety Regulator has been notified and the Australian Transport Safety Bureau has taken control of the site," the spokesperson said.

"ARTC has immediately commenced working with customers on a recovery plan.

"Further details will be provided once a full assessment of the area is complete."