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Fatal train accident in Bremen: What happened at the level crossing?
After a tragic accident at the level crossing, trains between Bremen and Bremerhaven are running as scheduled again.
Fatal train accident in Bremen: What happened at the level crossing?
The railway tracks between Bremen and Bremerhaven are back in operation after a tragic accident. After a 19-year-old driver collided with a regional train at a gated level crossing on Tuesday morning and lost his life, train traffic has now returned to normal. The regional express trains on lines RE8 and RE9 from Hanover and Osnabrück have been running regularly to Bremerhaven-Lehe since this morning. According to the Borken newspaper A spokesman for the railway confirmed that the route can now be used completely freely again.
On Wednesday, rail travelers on the RS2 line, which previously only ran every hour, were able to reach their destination as usual again. The shuttle service between Bremen-Burg and Bremen Central Station was stopped after train traffic was released. There were around 150 passengers on the regional train who fortunately were uninjured.
The accident and its consequences
The accident occurred at a restricted level crossing in the Burglesum district. While investigators are already working to clarify the exact circumstances, particularly whether the barrier was open at the time of the accident, the emotional wounds on the affected passengers and the carpool were great. Most recently on Wednesday afternoon there were no new findings regarding the cause of the accident daily news reported.
Such accidents highlight the safety situation at level crossings. This is not just an issue in Bremen and Bremerhaven. A study by insurers' accident research (UDV) has shown that human error is often the main cause of accidents at level crossings. 81% of road users at unsecured crossings often notice the train too late, while 84% of accidents at unguarded crossings but secured with flashing lights are caused by running the red light. In the case of half barriers, 42% ignore closed barriers, as in the UDV Study documented.
Every year around 50 people lose their lives at railway crossings in Germany, while others suffer injuries. The incident in Bremen is not the first of its kind, and security measures are often discussed as a result of such tragedies. The district administrator of the Kuseler Land, after another tragic accident, has already spoken out in favor of better safety measures, especially after repeated accidents at a certain level crossing. Further steps to ensure accessibility and security of level crossings will be discussed together with Deutsche Bahn.
These and other accidents are a stark reminder for all road users to exercise particular caution at level crossings. Given the frequency of accidents, there should be little doubt that safety at level crossings must be a top priority to avoid life-threatening situations in the future.