Dalfsen train crash

Dalfsen train crash

A Spurt train was involved in the accident. A Spurt train was involved in the accident.
Location within Netherlands
Date	23 February 2016
Time	08:50 CET
Location	Dalfsen, Overijssel
Coordinates
Country	Netherlands
Rail line	Zwolle - Emmen railway
Operator	Arriva
Type of incident	Obstruction on line
Cause	Under investigation
Statistics
Trains	1
Passengers	15
Deaths	1
Injuries	6

The Dalfsen train crash occurred on 23 February 2016 when a passenger train collided with a tracked elevated work platform on a level crossing at Dalfsen, Overijssel, Netherlands. One person was killed and six were injured, one seriously.

Accident

At 08:50 CET (07:50 UTC), a passenger train collided with an elevated work platform at Dalfsen, Overijssel, Netherlands. It is reported that the crane was slowly crossing the line when it was hit by the train. It had waited at the crossing while one train passed, but then started to cross and was hit by a second train. The train involved was a Spurt GTW 2/8 train, travelling from Zwolle to Coevorden. All four vehicles were derailed. One person was killed, the driver of the train. There were fifteen passengers on board the train. Six of the survivors were injured, one person sustaining serious injuries.

Two of the injured were taken to hospital in Zwolle. The other four were treated at the scene. Twelve ambulances were sent to the scene. An air ambulance from the University Medical Center Groningen attended. It was initially expected that the line between Zwolle and Ommen would be closed for at least three days. Arriva instigated a bus replacement service between those stations.

Work to remove the train took place over the night of 23–24 February, with the first carriage being removed during the night. Once the train has been removed, repairs were made to the track and catenary, 180 metres (200 yd) of which were affected. The damaged carriages were taken to a depot in Meppel. Following repairs, the line was reopened in the evening of 27 February.

Investigations

The Dutch Safety Board (Dutch: Onderzoeksraad Voor Veiligheid, OVV) are responsible for investigating railway accidents in the Netherlands. An investigation has been opened into the accident.

The Dutch police opened a separate investigation into the accident. The elevated work platform driver was detained for questioning. He could face charges of causing death by negligence, causing a fatal traffic collision and causing danger on the railway.