Quick-thinking De Lijn driver evacuates passengers stuck on level crossing
A bus that broke down on a level crossing was destroyed when it was hit by a train going 100kph, but no one on the bus was injured as a result of the driver’s quick thinking. “This driver is a hero,” Matteo, one of the passengers on-board, said. The
A bus that broke down on a level crossing was destroyed when it was hit by a train going 100kph, but no one on the bus was injured as a result of the driver’s quick thinking.
“This driver is a hero,” Matteo, one of the passengers on-board, said.
The train collided with the bus belonging to the Flemish public transport company De Lijn during the morning rush hour at a level crossing near Zedelgem in West Flanders.
Because of the time of day, the bus was carrying around 20 schoolchildren. It was evacuated just minutes before the train collision.
The timing of the breakdown and alert to railway services meant that the train could not be stopped in time, although the train driver did apply the emergency brakes.
Two passengers on the train were taken to the hospital, but none suffered serious injuries.
De Lijn praised the bus driver's quick reaction in avoiding a tragedy: “Fortunately, he had the presence of mind to think directly about safety,” said spokesperson Frederik Wittock.
Mayor Annick Vermeulen said she arrived to a shocking scene of devastation following the accident.
“But I think we really avoided a tragedy thanks to the driver,” said Vermeulen. “I thanked him for his composure. It's thanks to him that the tragedy was avoided. I prefer not to think about what would have happened if he hadn't acted the way he did.”
A nearby house was damaged in the accident, but the resident said: “It could have been worse. Luckily the bus driver was able to get everyone off... the bus was full.”
Infrabel reminds people of the importance of quickly dialling 1711 in the event of an emergency at a level crossing.
The necessary information, such as the exact location of the level crossing, is always displayed on a sticker affixed to the signal posts. It is also advisable to keep a safe distance after calling the emergency number to avoid any accidents, particularly in the event of debris.
Train traffic was disrupted between Lichtervelde and Bruges as a result of the accident, as the impact caused the train to derail, damaging the infrastructure.
The cause of the bus’s breakdown is not yet known.
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