Newswire

Round-up of overseas rail accidents and incidents between between April and August 2024.

15 July – Germany

Freight strikes agricultural trailer at crossing near Hanover, two injured

At 12.00 (local time), a freight train struck an agricultural trailer that was stuck on a level crossing. The locomotive derailed. The trailer was thrown into a former signal box. The train driver suffered serious injuries. The signal box owner had a heart attack brought on by shock.

18 July – India

Passenger train derails in Uttar Pradesh, killing two

At around 14.37 (local time), 12 coaches of the Dibrugarh–Chandigarh Express derailed near Gonda, Uttar Pradesh. At least two people were killed and 60 more were injured. Reports suggest a faulty rail fastening, for which a speed restriction had just been imposed.

2 August – USA

Collision leads to derailment in Adrian

Two CSX freight trains collided in Folkston, Georgia, at around 08.05 (local time). A freight derailed after colliding with another freight in Adrian, Michigan. The second train had entered the same section of line without authority. A tank wagon in this train leaked pressurised carbon dioxide. It was later found to be venting normally.

9 August – South Korea

Maintenance train collision kills two staff, injures 1 more in Seoul

At 02.14 (local time), two maintenance vehicles collided at Guro station, killing two track workers and injuring one more. They had been standing on top of a maintenance train to replace OLE insulators, when it came into contact with another vehicle on the adjacent line.

14 August – USA

Fatal collision at level crossing in Wisconsin

Just after 14.00 (local time), a Wisconsin Southern freight train struck a lorry at an unprotected level crossing in Sherman, Wisconsin. The lorry driver died at the scene. The locomotive and six wagons were derailed by the impact. Early investigations say the lorry had crossed in front of the train.

22 August – USA

Two injured in Colorado freight derailment

At 23.13 (local time), a Burlington Northern Sante Fe freight derailed in Boulder, Colorado, striking a bridge, which was damaged by the impact. Two train crew members suffered minor injuries. A small amount of diesel was spilled, but did not enter the nearby watercourse. The Federal Railroad Administration is investigating.

2 September – Hong Kong

Man in wheelchair reverses off platform at Tai Hing station

At around 05.30 (local time), a 73-year-old man in a wheelchair accidentally reversed off the platform and fell to the track at Tai Hing light rail station. The man was helped back to the platform by a fellow passenger. He was taken to hospital with head injuries.

5 September – USA

Freight derails in in Ayer, Massachusetts

At 09.19 (local time), a freight train derailed in Ayer, Massachusetts. There were no reported injuries. Nine empty timber wagons were involved. The incident also blocked a level crossing, preventing access by road vehicles. An investigation has been launched.

12 September – USA

Freight train strikes military vehicle in South Carolina

At around 12.30 (local time), a train struck a transporter carrying a tank over a crossing in Goose Creek, South Carolina. There were no reported injuries. The crossing was damaged. The lorry became stuck as it tried to cross the interface. The train was unable to stop in time.

13 September – Italy

Collision at Fulvio Testi leads to derailment and six injured

At around 06.30 (local time), a passenger train struck a container which had fallen from a freight at Fulvio Testi. The passenger train dragged the container for at least 100 metres. Five passengers were injured, none of them seriously. The passenger train was evacuated.

14 September – Egypt

Two passenger trains collide in Zagazig, killing 3

Two passenger trains collided in Zagazig, killing at least three people and injuring 49 more. Thirty ambulances were sent to the scene. The injured were taken transferred to local hospitals. At least five of those injured were reportedly in an ‘unstable’ condition. An investigation has been launched.

18 September – Czech Republic

Two passenger trains collide in Prague, 35 injured

A passenger train ran into the rear of another, stationary, formation in Prague. Thirty-five people suffered mostly minor injuries as a result. Police said one of the drivers tested positive for alcohol, though the rail operator argued that the other driver had likely been at fault, having passed a signal at danger.

24 September – Germany

Sixteen injured when commuter train strikes another in Moers

At 07.28 (local time), a commuter train struck another in Moers, injuring 16 passengers–three of them seriously. A police spokesperson confirmed medical treatment had been delivered to the injured and denied rumours that the train had collided with a freight.

26 September – USA

Fifteen-hour delay to Amtrak service caught in Hurricane Helene

Passengers on an Amtrak service were stuck on board after disruption caused by Hurricane Helene. The train had pulled into Savannah at 22.00 (local time). It stopped an hour later because of a tree blocking the line. It was stranded for 15 hours before buses were able to take passengers onward.