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Driver escapes unhurt as train smashes into bus on level crossing, Netherlands
A bus driver had a narrow escape when a train ploughed straight through his vehicle when it got stuck on a level crossing. The bus was torn in half by the impact of the collision on Marconilaan in Bergen op Zoom 30km north of Antwerp in the south of the Netherlands, just before 10am on Monday, 17 October 2022. The driver was standing next to the railway waving his arms to warn the approaching train that the bus was stuck at the crossing, Ronald Groffen, who filmed the collision from his car, told media. “The driver got out and tried to warn the train,” he said. “He’s a hero.”
The front of the train was also damaged. The driver was examined at the scene by an ambulance crew but was unhurt, a spokesman for the local safety council told the Brabants Dagblad. There were no passengers on board. The operator reported between 60 and 70 passengers were on board the train service at the time of the accident but no one was injured. NS director of operations Eeclo Van Asch said, "The bus driver and the train driver are very shocked. Police and safety officials are investigating why the bus was standing still on the crossing when the barriers came down. ‘Thank goodness the bus was empty,’ said a spokesman for the safety council. Eelco van Asch, director of operations for train operator NS, said: ‘The bus driver and the train driver are very badly shaken. Our thoughts are with our colleagues and passengers on board the train.’ NS warned that services between Bergen op Zoom and Vlissingen will be limited while the scene is cleared of debris and have warned passengers to expect delays of up to 60 minutes. Sources: Dutch News,
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