After an eventful year, the car of the center tubers from Berghem sparkled in full glory during the light parade in Knollenrijk. Last February a train rammed the carnival car of the association at a railway crossing in the village. “A trauma for many people,” says Wagenbouwer Bram. Nevertheless, the builders managed to pick themselves up and are there again this year. “Even came out together.”
On Sunday, February 11, 2024, things went wrong on a secure railway crossing at the Zevenbergseweg in Berghem, after the illuminated parade.
The car was pushed to the Bouwhal by several members from the carnival association. It is just on the other side of the railway crossing.
The moment they crossed the track, things went wrong. The barriers went down because a train arrived. The train collided by car.
“A setback for the association.”
“Nobody was seriously injured, but it is a trauma for many people,” says Bram. “It was quite a setback for us as an association.”
Last January, the Public Prosecution Service (OM) announced that the case was dismissed. The members of the center tubers are not being prosecuted. The damage of the accident is recovered from the club, reported rail manager ProRail.
Despite the heavy and eventful year, the association just started building for this year’s parade. “I am very proud that we are there and that the car is back,” says Bram.
“It was a bit exciting when we had to cross the track again,” says participant Dielle. “Fortunately it was well arranged by the association and there were people from ProRail who helped us,” says Bram.
“Still a thing.”
This time the cars all had ten minutes to cross, making it a lot safer. “You knew it was well arranged, but it was still one thing.”
Yet the carnival lovers came across the railway crossing without any problems. “The sun was shining and everything went well. We had built hard,” says Bram. “We are finally ready, so now it’s time for a big party.”
In any case, the association has come out closer. “We have talked a lot about it all together and have come together a lot with the association. You never want such a thing to happen, but we have come out stronger,” says Dielle.
