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Train kills three cows after fence failure near Gaildorf

A damaged fence led to chaos when cows escaped—and a train couldn't stop in time. Now, their owner faces legal scrutiny over the deadly incident.

The image shows a black and white photo of two cows walking down the railroad tracks, with a person...
The image shows a black and white photo of two cows walking down the railroad tracks, with a person sitting on a vehicle in the foreground. On either side of the tracks, there is grass and a fence, and in the background there are poles, houses, trees, and the sky.

Train kills three cows after fence failure near Gaildorf

A regional train struck and killed three cows near Gaildorf on Tuesday afternoon. The animals had escaped from a nearby pasture after a fence was damaged. Authorities have since launched an investigation into the incident. The trouble began when nine cows broke free from their enclosure. Four were quickly recaptured by their owner, but the rest wandered onto the railway tracks. Late that night, the train driver spotted the animals and sounded a warning whistle.

Despite the warning, three cows were hit and killed. The collision forced the closure of the line between Gaildorf West and Schwäbisch Hall until Wednesday morning. All 13 passengers on board remained unharmed. The owner now faces an investigation for endangering railway traffic. Two of the escaped cows were initially unaccounted for, though their whereabouts were later confirmed.

The train line has since reopened after repairs and safety checks. The owner’s actions will be reviewed as part of the ongoing investigation. No further disruptions to services have been reported.

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