Surviving Train Drivers Recount horrific Collision Near Lokorsko
In a harrowing incident near Lokorsko, two trains collided head-on, leaving two drivers dead and two others, Plamen Iliev and Tsvetan Damyanovski, fighting for their lives. The survivors have now shared their chilling accounts of the accident, shedding light on the moments leading up to the catastrophic crash.
Plamen Iliev, one of the surviving drivers, sustained severe injuries, including three broken ribs, a cracked rib, extensive bruising on his right leg and back, and torn ligaments in his left ankle. “I sleep 2-3 hours a day,” he told Nova TV, highlighting the physical and emotional toll of the ordeal.
Tsvetan Damyanovski, conversely, escaped with relatively minor injuries, experiencing pain in his liver, kidneys, and back. “We were leaving, we passed through the station, we transited through Svetovrachene. We looked at the crossing, we passed the Lokorsko stop and there is a right curve, after it there is already a straight section, which is probably 6-7-8 km. just ahead,” Tsvetan recounted.
The moment of impact was described as nothing short of terrifying. “From the right curve as we exited, I saw a train coming towards us. I only managed to shout,” Plamen recalled.He estimated the oncoming train was 300-400 meters away, with both trains traveling at speeds of around 50 kilometers per hour.
In a split-second decision, the drivers attempted to mitigate the disaster. “The moment we saw that the other train was coming towards us, I shouted to my colleague to run and how we managed to pull the chairs, move them… the moment I opened the engine room and ran, I heard Tsvetan apply the train brake,” Plamen explained.
Tsvetan emphasized the instinctual nature of his actions. ”It’s just an instinct. It’s an obligation, when you see a bump, you hold the brake to stop as quickly as possible,” he said.
The impact itself was described as cinematic in its horror. “The impact was something scary, like in the movies. A push,a toss around the whole cabin. We waited for it to stop,” Plamen shared. He vividly recalled the chaos that followed: “I watched as the locomotive behind us came straight at us, all I heard was the cracking of windows. At the end of the whole story, I saw through the window how the catenary broke and I saw sparks, which made me think that at least there will be no electricity.”
The incident has raised questions about railway safety and the measures in place to prevent such tragedies. As investigations continue,the bravery and quick thinking of Plamen and Tsvetan serve as a stark reminder of the human cost of such accidents.
| Key Details of the Lokorsko Train Collision |
|————————————————|
| Location | Near Lokorsko |
| Survivors | plamen Iliev, Tsvetan Damyanovski |
| Injuries | Broken ribs, torn ligaments, bruising (plamen); liver, kidney, and back pain (Tsvetan) |
| Speed of trains | Approximately 50 km/h |
| Distance Between Trains at impact | 300-400 meters |
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The survivors’ accounts not only provide a glimpse into the chaos of the collision but also underscore the importance of railway safety protocols. As the investigation unfolds, the focus remains on preventing such tragedies in the future.