Hooghalen train crash

The Hooghalen train crash was a collision between a train and agricultural vehicle on a level crossing in Hooghalen, Drenthe between Beilen and Assen on 22 May 2020. At 4:03 p.m. the collision occurred on an unsecured level crossing between the level crossings of Kanaal Noordzijde and Zwiggelterweg. The machinist died and two people were injured. The train was a Sprinter New Generation.

The accident caused damage to the track and the overhead wires. Repair work started the day after the accident. 3 portals, 560 railroad ties and rails had to be repaired. The train had to be towed away.[1] Because the overhead contact line broke again during the repair work, the work was delayed.[2] In the evening of May 24 at 22:00 a gas leak occurred at the repair work and had to be secured. It is unknown if the leak was actually caused by the repair of the train track.[3]

In the week after the crash, trains drove slowly along the level crossing in tribute to the killed machinist.[4]

Investigation

State Secretary Stientje van Veldhoven of Infrastructuur en Waterstaat is working to get to the cause of the accident. The accident is being investigated by the police, inspectors of the Inspectie Leefomgeving en Transport and inspectors of the Inspectie SZW. Passengers of the vehicle as well as the passengers of the train are questioned. The Automatic Registration is also used for the investigation and CCTV where possible.[5]

References

1. "Herstelwerk aan spoor Hooghalen begonnen, maandagochtend weer treinen". NOS. 23 May 2020. Retrieved 23 May 2020.
2. "Meer tijd nodig voor herstel spoor bij Hooghalen na groot ongeluk". NOS. 24 May 2020. Retrieved 25 May 2020.
3. Gaslek bij werkzaamheden ontspoorde trein Hooghalen drentsnieuws.nl, 25 May 2020
4. Treinen rijden langzaam als eerbetoon aan omgekomen machinist, NOS, 26 May 2020
5. Staatssecretaris Van Veldhoven wil helderheid over treinongeluk Hooghalen NOS.nl, 24 May 2020