“It is a corridor line on which there is a security device with the function of an automatic block. At the moment, it is the most advanced security device on the Czech railways,” recalls Marek Illiaš, a spokesman for the Railway Administration.
Even so, two trains collided on Tuesday night. One person died, others were injured. According to the results of the investigation so far, the most probable cause of the tragic accident is the failure of the human factor.
Everything took place on a three-track section between Prague and Kolín. After nine o’clock in the evening, the postal express stopped at the red light in front of the Český Brod station. The CityElefant passenger train with people is following him on the same track.
Due to the standing mail train, he too has to stop at the red light. And a kilometer earlier. But after a while, he drives on despite the red light. Czech railway regulations allow it. But …
“He can continue behind this red light, but he has to follow clear rules – and that is that he has to drive according to the viewing conditions so that he can stop in front of a possible obstacle,” says Railway Inspector spokesman Martin Drápal.
Watch the report on the driver’s rescue here:
But that did not happen in this case. According to TV Nova, the train was supposed to travel at speeds of up to 80 kilometers per hour. According to the rules, it must not be more than thirty. At such a speed, the collision could not be prevented.
“As part of the investigation, we will certainly deal with whether safety breaks were observed, when the driver entered the shift, whether he had a sufficiently long rest before this shift,” Drápal promises.
However, the subject of the investigation will also be technology. CityElefant trains are equipped with a so-called automatic train guidance system as standard. “If this system were to work, the drivers would not be allowed to start at higher speeds,” Illias is clear.
Check out a report on the train crash here:
There is a combination of two factors in the game. Driver’s error together with technical failure. “At the moment, we have not yet ruled out any of the options,” admits Drápal. The railway inspection thus further investigates the accident. Her opinion should be known within one year.
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