Newswire

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

11 April – USA

Freight derails and blocks level crossing

A Burlington Northern Santa Fe freight derailed in Longmont, Colorado. There were no reported injuries, but the formation blocked a level crossing. This caused disruption to road traffic. Later reports suggested the loss of a wheel somewhere in the consist as the cause. An investigation has been launched.

13 April – USA

Level crossing collision in Idaho kills 4

At around 08.20 (local time) on 13 April 2024, a road vehicle was struck by a train at a level crossing in Canyon County, Idaho. All four of the road vehicle occupants were killed. The driver had failed to stop. The police are investigating.

15 April – USA

Freight train collision in Folkston

Two CSX freight trains collided in Folkston, Georgia. The incident occurred when an intermodal train struck the rear of a stationary formation. Two locomotives and four wagons were derailed by the impact. Three members of staff sustained minor injuries. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating.

26 April – USA

Freight derailment and fire closes road in Arizona

At around 12.00 (local time), a BNSF freight carrying propane and gasoline derailed and caught fire Friday at Lupton. Six wagons burned for several hours. There were no reported injuries, but Interstate 40, a key route, was closed. Nearby homes and a truck stop were evacuated as a precaution.

3 May – India

Head-on collision in Gazipur injures three

A passenger train struck an oil tanker train head on near Joydebpur, in Gazipur. Three people were injured, including the passenger driver. The passenger locomotive, four carriages and three wagons were derailed. Initial reports say a wrongside signal failure may have sent the passenger train into the section occupied by the freight.

10 May – Argentina

Passenger train strikes wagon in Buenos Aires, injuring 90

A commuter train struck an empty wagon and derailed in Buenos Aires. At least 90 people were injured. Some reports suggest that copper cable thefts in the area ten days before the incident had rendered the track circuits ineffective. An investigation is under way.

17 May – USA

Three killed in level crossing collision at North Tonawanda

Just before 20.00 (local time), an Amtrak passenger train struck a road vehicle on a level crossing in North Tonawanda, New York State. All three of the road vehicle occupants died while being taken to hospital. There were no reported injuries on board the train.

26 May – Peru

Four killed when freight strikes bus at level crossing in La Oroya

At 16.00 (local time), a freight train struck a bus at a level crossing in La Oroya. Four people were killed and more than 30 were injured. An investigation has been launched.

5 June – Czech Republic

Head-on collision kills four in Pardubice

A freight struck a sleeper train in Pardubice. Four people were killed and 22 were injured. The line is equipped with ETCS, due to be activated in January 2025. Reports say the existing train protection system had been switched out in readiness and that the sleeper driver had passed a signal at danger.

11 June – USA

USA: Freight derails in Nebraska, no reported injuries

At around 16.00 (local time), a Union Pacific freight train derailed near Union, Nebraska. There were no reported injuries, but one of the tanker wagons spilled polyisobutylene into the adjacent Wolf Creek. Emergency teams were sent to site to work on the recovery and clean-up operations. An investigation has been launched.

17 June – India

Collision kills ten, injures 41 in New Jalpaiguri

A freight train struck the Kanchenjungha Express in rear in the New Jalpaiguri area. Ten people were killed and 41 were injured. The freight driver, assistant and passenger guard were among the dead. Early reports suggest the freight passed a signal at danger.

20 June – Chile

Test train strikes freight, killing two in San Bernardo

A freight train was struck head-on by a test train in San Bernardo, killing two of the freight crew and injuring nine others on the test train. The collision led the test train to override the freight. The driver of the former was detained for questioning on a charge of reckless manslaughter.

25 June – USA

Train strikes bus on crossing in LA, 55 injured

On 25 June 2024, a commuter train struck a college shuttle bus at a level crossing in Los Angeles. Fifty-five people were injured, two of them seriously. An investigation has been launched.

27 June – Slovakia

Seven killed in crossing collision in Nove Zamky

Just after 17.00 (local time), a passenger train struck a bus on a level crossing in Nove Zamky. Seven bus passengers were killed and five people were injured, including both drivers. Many had been badly burned in the fire that broke out after the impact, which reportedly split the bus in two.

2 July – USA

Freight derailment spills fuel north of Bangor

A freight train derailed in Mattawamkeag, north of Bangor, causing 2,500 gallons of fuel to be spilled. The incident occurred when the freight struck a wagon that had rolled from an adjacent loop foul of the running line. The impact caused one wagon to overturn and the second to come off.

5 July – USA

Freight derails and catches fire in North Dakota

At around 03.45 (local time), a freight derailed in North Dakota. There were no reported injuries, but around 30 wagons were involved. A fire also broke out. Among the goods being carried was anhydrous ammonia, which can trigger explosions and cause dehydration. The causes have yet to be determined.