Serious truck accident in Kerpen ensures rail chaos between Cologne and Aachen

Serious truck accident in Kerpen ensures rail chaos between Cologne and Aachen

On Friday afternoon, a serious accident occurred in Kerpen when a truck from a bridge fell to the tracks of the railway line between Cologne and Aachen. The driver, a 42-year-old man, survived the incident, but suffered serious injuries and must be treated in intensive care. According to the police, a positive result was found in a drug test, which led to the arrangement of a blood sample.

The fall of the truck has far-reaching consequences for rail traffic, especially for the ICE connections to Brussels, which run on this route. Deutsche Bahn has blocked the route until further notice, and it is estimated that the impairments could continue in the coming days. A railway spokesman expressed the hope that the rescue work will take place as quickly as possible to release the tracks for train operation.

recovery and damage

The truck is said to be resolved with a crane, but it can still take a while for the route to be safe again. The vehicle had loaded 40 tons of granules, which must also be recovered. Despite the fact that the granulate does not run out of danger, it was found that the tank of the truck was damaged by the impact, causing fuel. This could bring additional challenges for the rescue work.

The damage to the railway line is also considerable. The overhead lines were affected and the train can only begin with the repairs after the truck has been recovered. The exact scope of the further damage to the tracks and technical facilities has so far been unknown and can only be assessed in concrete terms after the rescue.

The route closure not only affects long -distance trains, but also on regional traffic. Trains between Cologne and Düren fail and a replacement of rails was set up by bus. The Düren and Aachen stops are temporarily not approached. Additional delays of up to 90 minutes were reported for the redirected ICE trains.

traffic disruptions

The police reported that at the time of the accident there was a train with around 60 travelers nearby. This could not continue his journey due to a security problem with the high -voltage line because it had to be grounded. The circumstances of the accident are still being examined, whereby witnesses have described how the truck came off the road around 11.50 a.m. and broke through the bridge railing before falling on the tracks.

The situation is a considerable inconvenience for many commuters and travelers and raises questions about traffic safety. Opportunities for restoration and muklitude are the responsibility of the responsible authorities and the rail operator, who has to do everything possible to keep the impairments as minimally as possible.

importance of the incident

This accident underlines the criticism of traffic safety on bridges and the maintenance of road and rail infrastructure. It also shows how suddenly and unexpectedly traffic routes can be interrupted, which has far -reaching consequences for operation and planning in public transport. The consequences will be noticeable for both the travelers concerned and for the railway companies and require a quick and comprehensive reaction to restore the normality in rail traffic as quickly as possible.

Details on the course of the accident

The accident occurred on Friday afternoon at 11:50 a.m. when the truck came off the road and plunged over a bridge railing onto the railway line. Eyewitnesses reported that the truck was in a critical phase of the journey and lost control. The police have already initiated investigations into the exact circumstances of the accident and interviews witnesses to find out possible causes.

The fact that the driver was probably under the influence of drugs according to the first reports is particularly noticeable. After a positive drug test, the police ordered a blood sample to be removed to clarify which substances could have been in the game. This could have an essential impact on possible legal consequences and responsibility for the accident.

consequences of the accident for rail traffic

The effects on rail traffic are considerable. The closure of the route between Cologne and Aachen affects many travelers. Long -distance traffic has to deal with significantly increased delays; The ICE trains, which usually run between these two cities, were diverted, which also leads to delays of about 90 minutes. This is particularly problematic for travelers who are dependent on connections to Brussels.

Deutsche Bahn has announced that the background of the disorders and failures are continuously evaluated in order to inform the travelers as best as possible. The effects are also very noticeable regionally, especially in the connections between Düren and Cologne, where a replacement of rails was set up.

repair and recovery

The rescue of the truck is expected to take place with a crane, which can take a certain amount of time. The exact time when the route can be released is currently unclear. First of all, it must be ensured that no further dangers come from the damaged truck or the leaked liquid.

The overhead lines of the railway line were damaged by the fall of the truck, which will result in additional repair work. The new evaluation of the route to possible structural damage will also be required promptly to avoid future accidents and to guarantee the safety in rail traffic.

Statistical evaluations of accidents in road railway traffic

According to Deutsche Bahn, numerous accidents are done annually that affect rail traffic. In 2022, for example, there were over 400 accidents at level crossings in Germany, with many of these incidents caused by human failure, such as distraction or alcohol and drug abuse. These statistics underline the need for intensified security measures and public information programs in order to increase safety in road and rail traffic.

In addition, various studies show that an increasing number of trucks on German roads can often lead to dangerous situations, especially near railway lines. A comprehensive review and adaptation of the security guidelines is required here to minimize future incidents of this type and to ensure the safety of all road users.