Terrible accident: TGV records 29-year-olds at the level crossing in Kehl

Terrible accident: TGV records 29-year-olds at the level crossing in Kehl

on Thursday evening, April 24, 2025, a serious accident occurred at the level crossing at Kehl when a 29-year-old pedestrian was hit by a TGV. The incident happened at Legelshurst at the Legelshurst station when the man was waiting for the closed level crossing with a companion.

After a local train had passed, the 29-year-old decided to cross the tracks because he thought the barriers would open. Tragically, however, a TGV from Strasbourg approached at a speed of 140 km/h and caught it. The man was brought to a clinic with the most serious injuries by rescue helicopter.

consequences of the accident

The accident event caused the man's companion and the train driver of the TGV to be in shock, while the 280 travelers in the TGV remained unharmed. Two passengers of local transport, which kept about 20 meters away, also needed care.
The train traffic between Appenweier and Kehl was closed for two hours after the accident, which also affected long -distance transport before the block was lifted.

Such accidents are unfortunately not uncommon. According to a study by the International Railway Association UIC, 27 % of all train accidents at level crossings pass, and in 98 % of these cases that lead to deaths are similar situations. This illustrates the importance of ensuring security at level crossings, as well as Stefan Pöting, Head of Railway Technology at TÜV Nord, emphasized.

Security at level crossings

Pöting points out that the long braking routes of trains are often underestimated. A local train needs around 700 meters at 160 to get to a standstill. The risks when crossing level crossings are often ignored, since soft trains are often recognized too late. The use of technical safety devices such as barriers or warning lights is crucial to prevent such accidents.

In order to reduce risky behavior near level crossings, clarification is considered necessary. "It is better to get to the goal too late than take a risk," advises Pöting.

The tragic incident on April 24, 2025 is an urgent example of the dangers lurking at level crossings. Everyone should be aware of the possible risks and always act carefully.

For more information on the accident and its scope, read the reports from t-online and Badische Zeitung . In addition, you can find out more about the safety-related aspects in connection with level crossings at TÜV Nord