Drama at the level crossing: truck driver saved from a life-threatening location!

Drama at the level crossing: truck driver saved from a life-threatening location!

A serious accident occurred on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, at the level crossing at the Loderleiten in Ernsthofen. A truck had got caught in the overhead line of the railway line, which immediately called on the plan. The alarm keyword "Human Rescue - Electricity" brought the volunteer fire brigades from Ernsthofen and Haidershofen as well as other rescue units to the scene of the accident, including the emergency medical helicopter Christophorus 15 and the Red Cross St. Valentin. The truck driver was seriously injured and got into the circuit before the Ernsthofen fire brigade began with the first aid until the rescue workers arrived. https://www.meinbezirk.at/steyr-steyr-land/c-lokales/lkw-in-oebb-stromlebung-fer-ferrettetert_a7374380

The rescue of the truck was challenging, since the railway line had to be released from the ÖBB and the overhead lines had to be grounded. In the meantime, a passenger train with about 50 passengers had come to a standstill shortly before the accident site. After the official approval by the ÖBB, the train was evacuated and the fire brigade accompanied the passengers to the transport vehicle. These were brought to connection points for rail replacement traffic, which shows how important a quick and coordinated reaction is in such critical situations. https://www.meinbezirk.at/steyr-steyr-land/c-lokales/lkw-in-oebb-stromlebung-fer-ferrettetert_a7374380

chaotic situation according to crash

Another serious traffic accident occurred on Tuesday morning in Willendorf, where a truck drove into the railway crossing of the Puchbergbahn at an untrained level crossing. The truck driver overlooked an approaching train, and the collision was unavoidable. The train rammed the truck and dragged it several meters. The accident site was chaotic, parts of the truck, the railcar and safety devices were scattered. Fortunately, only the truck driver and no one else suffered noteworthy injuries. https://www.oe24.at/oesterreich/chronik/niederoesterreich/heftiger-crash-lark-zug-git-git-gitr

The alarm of the fire brigade in Willendorf attracted numerous rescue workers, including two ambulances and an emergency helicopter. After approval by the police and the ÖBB operations manager, rescue work was carried out by the Willendorf volunteer fire brigade. The serious damage to both vehicles required a blocking of the B26 and the Puchbergbahn, while local diversion and rail replacement traffic were set up. https://www.oe24.at/oesterreich/chronik/niederoesterreich/heftiger-crash-lkot-zug-zug-und-mitschreift/619670646

Security at level crossings in the focus

The recent incidents also make a highlight of the general security of level crossings in Austria. Experts point out that accidents at level crossings, although they are rare compared to other traffic accidents, often have serious consequences. Statistics show that 30-40% of all accidents with personal damage to railway traffic are carried out at level crossings, whereby a significant part of non-technically secured systems takes place. Rules of conduct for road traffic when crossing such transitions are regulated by law, and the responsibility is often with the drivers: https://www.dvr.de/politik/icherheit-an-bahnuebergen-von-eisenbahnen-erhohen

The recommendations to improve security include the use of red light monitoring systems and the structural separation of lanes. Enlightenment work in the form of campaigns could help to raise awareness of the risks of level crossings. Overall, both technical and organizational measures have to be taken to increase the security at these dangerous intersections and to avoid tragedies such as the 近期 accidents. https://www.dvr.de/politik/chluesse/icherheit-an-bahnuebergen-von-eisen-erhohen