Trial in Brühl: Sad results after the track accident in Hürth

Trial in Brühl: Sad results after the track accident in Hürth

A tragic incident in Hürth raises shocking questions about safety during track work. On May 4, 2023, a serious accident occurred on the railway line near Cologne when an intercity train hit two workers and immediately claimed their lives. The two men, aged 27 and 31, were part of a civil engineering company that was involved in track tamping work. Reported in this context WDR that a security company was used to ensure the safety of the workers.

The Cologne public prosecutor's office has made serious allegations of negligent homicide against a 54-year-old employee of the security company. According to the charges, the defendant approved the safety-related work even though the closure of the track had not been confirmed. In addition, the security guards were not properly instructed and there was a lack of acoustic warning aids. On the day of the accident, around 11 a.m., the train raced at almost 160 km/h on the supposedly closed track in the direction of the workers, who were fortunately able to escape from the danger zone in time.

Safety standards at risk?

A look at the applicable regulations shows that safety standards are extremely important when it comes to track construction work. The regulations and standards, such as DIN EN 16704, define clear requirements for safety during track construction work and require specific measures to minimize risks. Among other things, acoustic warning systems and proper training of staff are required. Failure to comply with these standards not only leads to legal consequences, but also endangers lives, as this case dramatically shows. The DGUV refers to the central safety requirements that must be observed during such work.

The trial against the security employee began on July 1, 2023 at the district court in Brühl and will take place over several days. It is expected that the relatives of the tragically injured workers will take part in the negotiations as co-plaintiffs. Given the seriousness of the allegations and the public concern, there is great interest in this process.

How can something like this be prevented in the future? Intensive reflection on existing safety protocols is necessary to avoid similar tragedies and restore confidence in the safety of track work. Such a sensitive issue requires consistent measures to ensure that vital standards are strictly adhered to in practice.