Train collides with car stationed on train tracks, two critically injured

Train collides with car stationed on train tracks, two critically injured
Credit: © Belga

Four people were injured after a passenger train on Wednesday crashed into their vehicle near the Flemish town of Zele, after the car had come to a halt on the tracks for an "unclear reason," according to reports on Belgian media.

Two of the four passengers of the minivan are in a critical condition after the accident, which took place at around 6:45 AM at a level crossing as the train prepared to enter the town of Zele, to the east of Ghent.

"For an unclear reason, the car came to a halt on the tracks," town Mayor Hans Knop told Belgian media.

Emergency services arrived en masse on the spot, and the two other passengers of the vehicle also sustained serious injuries, according to reports.

While the train was not running at full speed as it prepared to enter a station, the minivan was still dragged some 50 metres when the train collided into it.

The train was halted on the spot for around two hours and the hundreds of passengers on board were evacuated.

National railway manager Infrabel said the level crossing appeared to be functioning correctly.

After questioning the drivers of both vehicles, police confirmed to VTM news that the driver of the van, 19, did not have a driver's licence.

Gabriela Galindo

The Brussels Times


Copyright © 2024 The Brussels Times. All Rights Reserved.