Brezno train accident

The Brezno train accident was a train accident which occurred close to Brezno, Slovakia, on 21 February 2009, when a train collided with a tourist coach on a level crossing. Twelve[1] people were killed and at least twenty people were injured in the crash. All of the deaths and injuries occurred on the bus, which was pushed for tens of metres by the derailed train. The crash scene is near the popular ski resort of Polomka Bucnik, where the tourists were headed.[2] The crash led to the third national day of mourning in Slovakia's history.[3]

The coach and train collision happened in central Slovakia. Above, Slovakia (dark green) on the European continent (light green) and in the European Union (light green).

Accident details

The accident occurred on a level crossing near Brezno at approximately 09:00 local time (08:00 UTC), according to the Slovak news agency TASR.[2] Officials say the coach was travelling to the nearby ski resort. Thirty-six people were on the coach – all were from Bánovce nad Bebravou in western Slovakia.[2][4] Martina Pavlikova, of Slovak Railways said: "All the dead and injured were on the bus. There were only a few passengers on the train and they didn't suffer any serious injuries".[2] The train collided with the coach at full speed on a level-crossing near Polomka Bucnik.[4] The railway crossing only had a stop sign; there were no light signals and barriers to prevent vehicles from crossing.[1] Several of the injured are in serious condition. Two people who sustained spinal injuries had to be airlifted to a hospital in Banská Bystrica, and the rest were hospitalized in Brezno.[2]

See also

References
  1. "Rušňovodič: Nehode sa nedalo zabrániť". [Sme.sk]. 2009-02-21. Retrieved 2009-02-22.
  2. "Slovak bus-rail crash 'kills 11'". BBC. 2009-02-21. Retrieved 2009-02-21.
  3. "Slovakia Mourns for Mine Blast Victims". TASR. 2009-08-12. Archived from the original on 2011-07-21. Retrieved 2009-08-12.
  4. "10 killed in Slovakia crash". RTÉ. 2009-02-21. Retrieved 2009-02-21.

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