Large-scale operation, traffic jam

“Faulty traffic lights”: Passenger train collides with truck

Apparently, a defective traffic light system caused the accident – hundreds of passengers had to leave the train.(Bild: Leserreporter, Krone KREATIV)

Shock for train passengers and passers-by in the late afternoon on the border between Vienna and Klosterneuburg: at around 5:15 p.m., a serious accident occurred at a railroad crossing. A truck collided with a commuter train. The driver had to be taken to a trauma room with serious injuries.

The railway line had to be completely closed, and numerous emergency services are on site. An ÖAMTC helicopter assisted with the rescue. According to initial information from the Vienna emergency services, the 59-year-old driver of the truck was thrown from the vehicle in the accident and seriously injured. He has already been taken to the emergency room of a Vienna hospital. There was also one person with minor injuries among the passengers on the train involved in the accident. 

"The train stopped abruptly"
Eyewitnesses report a dramatic scene: "It looks really bad," said a passerby who was driving by. "The train stopped relatively abruptly, then there was a brief jolt," said one passenger, describing the moments of the collision. The truck was badly damaged. 

Rail replacement service and traffic jam back to the Nordbrücke
Dozens of passengers had to leave the ÖBB train and were directed to the nearest bus stations, where replacement buses were available. Currently, no train service is possible between Nußdorf and Klosterneuburg-Weidling, and rail replacement service has been set up between Vienna Heiligenstadt and Klosterneuburg-Weidling. Traffic quickly backed up in the evening rush hour, reaching as far back as the Nordbrücke bridge at around 7 p.m.

Unusual scene at the crossing already during the night
Residents also report to krone.at that the traffic light system at the railroad crossing has been defective since last night. "I drove past around midnight. There was a train in front of the barrier, which is very unusual. Normally, they drive through there because there is no stop. Then a loud signal sounded, and I almost fell off my bike in shock," said a cyclist describing the scene. However, the exact circumstances of the collision are still unclear.