Head-on train collision near Copenhagen leaves five critically injured | Denmark
At least 18 people were injured, 5 of whom were in critical condition, as a result of a head-on collision between two trains in Denmark.
The accident occurred on Thursday morning at the level crossing at Isterødvejen, near the town of Hillerød, about 30 kilometers northwest of Copenhagen. Emergency services received a report of the collision just before 6.30am.
Photos taken from the scene showed two trains facing each other; one of them was largely crushed at the front.
North Zealand police said technical investigations were ongoing but did not immediately comment on the nature of the collision. They said the trains were moving fast but their exact speed was not yet known.
Denmark’s acting prime minister, Mette Frederiksen, said in a statement that she was “very impressed by the terrible train accident that occurred on the Gribskov line this morning.” He told TV2: “Many people are in a critical condition. My thoughts are for the injured, their relatives and everyone affected by the accident.”
Swedish prime minister Ulf Kristersson said he offered assistance in responding to the incident. Danish police said they rejected the offer.
All 37 passengers on the two trains were extricated and a military helicopter helped take the patients to hospital. Anders Heimdal, chief emergency physician for the Copenhagen region, said there were “many different injuries” and added: “People are being thrown around.”
Fire and rescue service leader Christoffer Buhl Martekilde told reporters: “Two trains collided head-on, causing great damage and broken glass flying everywhere.”
When asked at the press conference whether signal errors caused the collision, Inspector Morten Pedersen said it was “too early” to say. He added: “It is certain that information on signal errors, among other things, will also be included in the overall picture.”
There was a crisis center It was established for travelers and relatives in Hillerød.
Denmark’s accident investigation board said it was still gathering evidence but was investigating whether the problem was caused by technical problems with signaling systems and rails and whether “human factors” were involved.
Claus René Pedersson, police chief of Lokaltog, which operates the line, said the line has a single track for trains going in both directions. It was stated that among the injured were employees of the train company.
The official said that a collision between two trains “should not have been possible” and told broadcaster DR that “we do everything in our daily lives to ensure that this does not happen, with signaling systems and the training of drivers.”
Pedersson added: “Fortunately this happens very, very rarely, and so now we need to find out how this could happen.”
