ProRail, the municipality of Drimmelen and railway company DB Cargo knew about the safety risks at the unguarded level crossing in Hooge Zwaluwe. But it remained unclear who was responsible for what, so no one intervened. This is evident from research by the Dutch Safety Board (OVV). She conducted research after 25-year-old train driver Lars died in an accident on the track.
On August 28, 2024, a freight train collided with a crossing truck at the Zanddijk level crossing in Hooge Zwaluwe. The engineer was killed. One of his colleagues was injured.
The Dutch Safety Board started an investigation in October into how the accident could have happened. This shows that various parties are responsible for the safety of the level crossing, but it is unclear who exactly is responsible for what.
Although the parties involved knew more or less that the situation on the Lage Zwaluwe – Oosterhout Weststad route was not ideal, nothing was done about it. This was mainly due to ecological and financial considerations. In addition, there was little consultation between the municipalities of Oosterhout, Drimmelen and ProRail.
Truck driver didn’t expect a train
In the August collision, a truck driver drove onto the level crossing as the freight train approached at slow speed. Driver Lars gave a warning signal three times, but the driver only saw the train when he was already on the track.
According to the investigation, the truck driver, like other road users, was not expecting a train because a train does not often run on this route.
Vegetation also gave him the impression that the track was not in use. The driver did not have full focus on any approaching train, because he also had to focus on the narrowing of the level crossing and possible oncoming traffic.
More risk due to space on the train
Lars controlled the train by radio. As a result, he did not have to operate the train from the cabin and could do so remotely. At the time of the collision he was standing at the front of the locomotive. Due to unclear instructions from the railway company DB Cargo, drivers thought this was allowed. This way they had a better view of the road, but were much more at risk.
What measures are being taken?
The Dutch Safety Board believes that the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management and ProRail must make clear choices to improve safety for drivers and road users.
Is it too expensive to convert an unprotected level crossing into a secured level crossing? Then ProRail must look at other ways of security. If that is not feasible, ProRail must consider removing the level crossing or closing the entire route.
ProRail and DB Cargo took some measures themselves after the accident. The sight lines have now been improved. DB Cargo Nederland no longer allows drivers to drive by radio on main railways with a maximum speed of thirty kilometers per hour.