Driver charged after train collision in Bayreuth – six injured, millions in damages
After two regional trains collided at Bayreuth central station, the public prosecutor's office has charged a 65-year-old train driver. Six people were injured.
Charges following collision between two Agilis trains at Bayreuth central station
Just over five months after two regional trains collided at Bayreuth central station, the public prosecutor's office has charged a 65-year-old train driver, according to the Süddeutsche Zeitung. The accused is facing charges of intentional, dangerous interference with railway operations and negligent bodily injury in five cases. Bayreuth district court must now decide whether to admit the charges.
On the evening of 11 March, at around 18:34, a shunting empty train and an oncoming regional train collided at Bayreuth central station. The train from Bad Steben (Hof district) carried 13 passengers and another train driver; the now-charged driver was alone in the other vehicle. Both trains belonged to the company Agilis.
The collision injured six people – five passengers on the train from Bad Steben and the 65-year-old driver himself. The damage to both locomotives amounted to a seven-figure sum.
The public prosecutor's office assumes that the suspect intended to travel southwards on track 5 towards Bayreuth with train Agilis 84613 from Coburg. "Since he did not have clearance to proceed, he is said to have continued his journey while disregarding several safety measures," the prosecution stated. The train subsequently collided with Agilis 84576.
Source: Süddeutsche Zeitung