More tragedies abroad

[class47]

On Jan 20th, 16 persons were injured, 3 severely, on Wednesday morning in the Brunswick suburb of Rüningen after a RegionalBahn DMU collided with a lorry. The lorry was trying to cross the rail line when the train hit it. The leading carriage of the train, travelling from Salzwedel-Lebenstadt to Brunswick derailed, say the police, but it didn't topple over.


The accident, according to reports from the Deutsche Bahn happened at 0740 at a level crossing, protected with flashing lights and half barriers. The train & tracks have suffered considerable damage.


The lorry driver was trying to take his lorry across the lines to avoid a closed gate, and took an illegal route across, reports NDR. The Federal Police have since charged the 53 year old lorry driver with tresspass, with intent to danger rail traffic. The driver left his vehicle to find help, but it was too late and the train hit the vehicle, carrying 30 tonnes of wheat, and dragged it a further 50 metres. The train driver is suffering from shock; the lorry driver escaped uninjured.

Photos and story here:
http://www.ndr.de/nachrichten/nieder...ll110_p-1.html

[Andy]

Its ironic that the lorry driver escaped unharmed, when he was the one in the wrong.

[ashurstdave]

Level crossing accidents seem to be generally high throughout Europe. Road users appear to take too many chances and not pay enough attention when approaching non-gated or half barrier level crossings.

[class47]

Yes I have to agree, however there are a lot more open crossings in Mainland Europe, this must surely be an influencing factor

[ashurstdave]

I agree - that would be an influencing factor - as a matter of interest, Brockenhurst has a very busy crossing on a main A road. Last week I saw police hiding from motorist view and observing how many motorists took chances and crossed over when the flashing red lights started. Pedestrians also are inclined to make "a run for it" and I have spotted this happening many times at Totton and Mount Pleasant ( Northam ) crossings when I have been railway watching from the footbridges.

[class47]

However having looked at the Czech republic in particular they have about one a month, do we have that frequency here??