Newswire

Our round-up of accidents and incidents across the globe between January and March this year.

17 January, USA

Avalanche derails freight in Alaska

A freight train derailed after striking an
avalanche south of Girdwood, Alaska. A
freak storm the previous day had brought
double the amount of snow expected.
The crew were able to get out of the train
unaided and were treated at site by the
emergency medical team.

20 January, Austria

Collision in Furnitz leads to fire

A freight train carrying kerosene collided with a train in Furnitz. Both drivers suffered minor injuries. Around 60,000 litres of kerosene were spilled by the impact, which led to a fire. Some 41 firefighters from 14 brigades were called to the scene to tackle the blaze.

24 January, France

Train strikes bus at crossing near Cevins

A passenger train struck a bus on a level crossing near Cevins. There were no reported injuries on the empty bus. One rail passenger suffered major injuries, with three sustaining injuries more minor in nature. The train was badly damaged, but it remained upright and did not derail.

03 February, USA

Freight train carrying dangerous goods derails and explodes in Ohio

A freight train derailed and caught fire in Ohio. There were no fatalities, but one person was injured. The National Transportation Safety Board’s preliminary report said that the train had been running with a hot axle. The axle is thought to have failed as the brakes were applied.

08 February, USA

Level crossing collision in Delray Beach kills 2

A passenger train struck a road vehicle on a level crossing in Delray Beach. Two of the road vehicle’s occupants were killed. Witness reports say the crossing barriers were down at the time of the incident. The investigation continues.

28 February, Greece

Allegedly drunk S-Bahn driver arrested

A passenger train departed Athens on the same line as a freight travelling in the opposite direction. The two trains collided head-on in Thessaly. In all, 47 people died and 85 were injured. The station master at Larissa was charged with causing death and harm through negligent dispatch.

07 March, Egypt

2 killed when passenger train strikes stops at Qalyub

Two people were killed and 16 were injured when a passenger train derailed after striking the buffer stops at Qalyub station. Initial reports suggest the train had passed a signal at danger. An investigation has been launched.

09 March, Nigeria

Level crossing collision in Lagos kills 6

A passenger train struck a bus at Shogunle level crossing in Lagos. Six people were killed and 97 were injured. Initial reports suggest the bus driver ignored the crossing keeper’s red flag warning, as he was reportedly in a hurry. An investigation has been launched.

17 March, USA

Locomotives derail in Anacortes

Two locomotives derailed and spilled more than 3,000 gallons of diesel fuel in Anacortes, Washington. There were no reported injuries. The locomotives had been hauling a mixed formation of a buffet car and four tank wagons. The buffet car partially derailed, but one of the locomotives overturned.

25 March, Romania

Locomotive strikes carriages at Galati, 1 killed, 3 injured

A locomotive struck a rake of carriages at Galati station. The guard, the driver, another staff member and a passenger were injured. Reports suggest that the locomotive, which was due to couple to the carriages, ran in at 30 km/h instead of 10.

30 March, USA

Freight derails in Minnesota, catches fire and leads to evacuation

A freight derailed in Raymond, Minnesota. There were no reported injuries, but the incident led to a fire, the train having been carrying ethanol and corn syrup. Parts of the town were evacuated, with the local sheriff’s office advising against travel.

04 April, Netherlands

Passenger train derails after striking crane at Voorschoten, 1 killed

A passenger train derailed after striking a crane at Voorschoten. The crane had been hit by a freight, which sent it foul of the adjacent line. A track maintenance worker was killed. The passenger driver, two guards and 27 passengers were injured. The freight driver was unharmed.