Julian Bray Security Expert writes: An early Ash Tuesday morning 'Meridian' commuter train crash in Bavaria, South Germany has left many dead and over 100 injured. 10 air ambulances/ helicopters are at the crash site, the hard to access locality is alongside a single line railway.
Ash Wednesday is significant, as its Carnival or 'Fashing' so schools are closed, few children would be on the train, many parents on holiday and overall passenger numbers slightly lower.
The two trains collided head on, near an effluent treatment plant, and from images at the debris field, both trains were travelling at speed. Known by railway experts, as a high energy impact.
Crash investigators are already on site. Carriages are overturned, and scattered all around the impact zone. Speeds of 120 km are possible although commuter train speeds generally much less.
Emergency Phone Line
Clearly with single line working, signals have either been ignored or were not working properly . A police spokesman told the AFP agency,that more than 150 are injured and confirmed that four people were killed in the crash. Fifteen people are critically injured.
"The current toll is four dead, but this is expected to rise, 15 critically injured, 40 severely injured and a total of 100 injured,"
Southern Germany Regional rail company Meridian said in a statement that "a tragic accident occurred on the single-track route between Rosenheim and Holzkirchen this morning shortly after 7am CET (6am GMT)".
Holzkirchen is a market town in Bavaria, Germany. It has a population of over 17,000 and is the largest town in the Miesbach district. Holzkirchen is situated at Alpenvorland, in the county of Miesbach.
JULIAN BRAY +44(0)1733 345581 Aviation Expert, Journalist & Broadcaster, Aviation Security & Airline Operations Expert, Travel / Maritime & Cruise Industry, NUJ, EQUITY, LIVE ISDN LINK, Broadcast ISDN COOBE ++44 (0)1733 345020 e&oe Old faithful NOKIA: 07944 217476 www.aviationcomment.com
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