Newswire

Round-up of overseas rail accidents and incidents between October 2023 and January this year.

11 January – Switzerland

Two injured when engineer’s train runs away and strikes excavator

At around 22.30 (local time), a stationary engineer’s train ran away in a possession near the north portal of the Wipkingen Tunnel in Zurich before striking an on-track excavator on the Wipking Viaduct. The two staff members were taken to the nearest hospital by ambulance.

24 January – Czech Republic

Train driver killed and 19 injured when passenger train strikes lorry on crossing near Bohumín

Early on 24 January 2024, a passenger train struck a lorry at a level crossing near Bohumín. The train driver was killed and 19 more were injured. It is not yet known why the lorry was on the crossing. An investigation has been launched.

8 February – Switzerland

Attacker holds passengers and driver hostage on train near Baulmes

A man armed with an axe and a knife held 15 hostages on a train between Baulmes and Yverdon-les-Bains, Switzerland, for almost four hours. Police stormed the train at around 22.15 (local time) and shot the attacker dead. All 14 passengers and the driver were released unharmed.

8 February – France

Man killed after climbing on Eurostar train at Gare du Nord

At around 22.00 (local time) a man was electrocuted by the overhead line equipment after climbing onto a Eurostar train at the Gare du Nord in Paris. He had been seen previously running between Platforms 12 and 13. He later died from severe burn injuries.

22 February – India

Locomotive used for maintenance catches fire in Joranda

A fire broke out in a locomotive used to haul for maintenance trains at Joranda station in Odisha. There were no reported injuries. The flames were quickly brought under control by the fire service. An investigation has been launched, but initial findings suggest a short circuit could have caused the blaze.

24 February – Sweden

Second freight derailment in three months sparks sabotage concern

An empty ore train derailed at Vassijaure late on 24 February 2024. There were no reported injuries but rails, sleepers, pointwork, and the catenary were damaged. A similar accident had occurred in a similar location on 17 December 2023. Both are being investigated by the police.

25 February – India

Freight runs away from Kathua

A freight train ran away after stopping at Kathua for a crew change. It travelled for more than 43 miles before coming to a stand at Unchi Bassi. There were no reported injuries. Initial reports say that when the driver and assistant left the train, the handbrakes were not applied and chocks were not used.

2 March – USA

Three Norfolk Southern freight trains in Pennsylvania collision

A freight train struck another formation before a third freight collided with the wreckage near Easton, Pennsylvania. There were no reported injuries. The National Transportation Safety Board said all three trains had been operating with positive train control but at a speed under which ‘the system no longer maintains train separation’.

4 March – USA

One crew member injured during low-speed collision between freights at Bonners Yard

Just before noon (local time), a low-speed, head-on collision occurred between two Union Pacific freight formations at Bonners Ferry in Idaho. One crew member was taken to hospital with a wrist injury. There was no derailment. An investigation has been launched.

7 March – Germany

Track worker struck and killed by maintenance train near Frankfurt Airport

At around 02.30, a track worker was struck and killed by a maintenance train on the ICE expressway at Raunheim, near Frankfurt Airport. Reports suggest that the worker remained on the line when the train started moving. The federal police have launched an investigation.

28 March – USA

Two crew killed when freight strikes lorry on crossing in Bindarrah

A commuter train struck an articulated lorry on a level crossing in Littleton, Massachusetts. The lorry driver said he had tried to turn right at the interface but became caught in traffic. He jumped to safety before the collision occurred. There were no reported injuries.

22 March – Norway

Freight derails and overturns at Arna

A freight train derailed on catch points at Arna. The locomotive ended up in the Arnanipa Tunnel. A passenger train was entering the tunnel at the same time. It was brought to a stand 500 metres away. Early reports say the freight may have passed a signal at danger.