Train and heavy vehicle crash in Bavaria's region
Ten individuals,including the truck driver,sustained injuries in a collision between a regional train and a truck in Lower Bavaria. The accident occurred at an unguarded railway crossing, prompting concerns about the safety of such crossings.
Preliminary investigations suggest that the collision took place on the Munich - Mühldorf route shortly before 3 pm near Pocking, Passau district. The emergency services were alerted at 14:58. Although the crossing boasts a flashing light system, it lacked barriers to separate the tracks from the road, potentially contributing to the accident.
At least four individuals, including the truck driver and two train employees, suffered serious injuries, while seven others in the train endured minor injuries. A spokeswoman for Deutsche Bahn expressed sympathies towards the injured and wished them a speedy recovery.
The truck was dragged along the tracks until it came to a halt diagonally across the tracks, causing the train to derail. Cargo from the truck was also spilled onto the tracks. In total, there were 15 people in the train at the time of the collision.
Numerous rescue services were dispatched to the scene, and Deutsche Bahn sent several employees to support them and attend to the passengers. Bus replacement services were set up to accommodate passengers during the closure of the railway line between Pocking and Pfarrkirchen. The duration of the closure remains uncertain.
Road closures also affected the county road, with a recovery vehicle en route to remove the truck from the tracks by the early evening. Authorities hope that an expert examination will shed light on the cause of the accident.
[1] Unguarded railway crossings in Bavaria have been linked to several train-truck collisions in the past, primarily due to the absence of protective barriers or signals warning truck drivers of approaching trains.[2] In such circumstances, drivers may inadvertently cross the tracks at the same time a train is passing, increasing the risk of accidents and resulting in injuries.
[1] Given the series of train-truck collisions at unguarded railway crossings in Bavaria, there is a pressing need to revisit and amend the community policy, ensuring the installation of protective barriers and effective warning signals.
[2] As politics plays a crucial role in shaping infrastructure, it is essential for local officials to prioritize vocational training programs for transportation workers, focusing on enhancing awareness and improving safety protocols surrounding railway crossings, thereby reducing the risk of car-accidents and general-news incidents.
