Another near-collision between a train and a car occurred at a level crossing in the Fasanerie district of Munich. The federal police are investigating against Bahn employees – because of the omissions that almost led to the disaster, but apparently also because the incident should be swept under the table.
After an accident last August, the barrier at the crossing has still not been repaired. Bahn employees have to cordon off the transition with warning tape when a train approaches. Apparently, repairs and the procurement of spare parts are taking a long time, and the barrier system should not be fully functional again until the middle of the year. There are also outdated transitions that are currently operated manually in the Sauerlach community in the south of Munich.
The Fasanerie S-Bahn stop is immediately north of the crossing that was again affected. Only on January 3rd was an accident with an incoming S-Bahn at this point only avoided with a lot of luck.
On Tuesday afternoon, a regional train almost collided with a car. The driver was just about to cross the level crossing when a loud warning whistle warned him at the last second. The train driver initiated emergency braking. The regional express RE 4078 in the direction of Regensburg was on its way from Feldmoching to the Fasanerie at around 4:30 p.m. Since, unlike an S-Bahn, it does not have to stop there, it travels at speeds of up to 140 kilometers per hour on this section.
A warning whistle and emergency braking
The train was reported, but according to the federal police, the barrier system was open. Despite emergency braking, the train only came to a standstill at the level of the station platform. The driver, warned by the shrill whistle, was able to drive away in time.
It is currently unclear why the responsible gatekeeper did not react and did not give his two security guards any instructions to close the crossing. Alcohol wasn’t involved. But it is the same gatekeeper who, according to the federal police, caused the near-collision on January 3rd. Federal police spokesman Wolfgang Hauner speaks of “human error” and is investigating because of the danger to rail traffic.
Manual work, 120 times a day: on the instructions of the signalman, security guards have to manually close off the crossing when a train arrives.
(Photo: Robert Haas)
There are many indications that, as on January 3, two trains had been reported to the barrier keeper and after the first train had passed through, he had the guards lift the barrier security – without paying attention to the second train. A few seconds after the backup tapes were removed, regional express 4078 arrived.
Particularly explosive: The railway failed to inform the federal police about the serious incident. The responsible inspection at the main train station only found out about it in a roundabout way. Eyewitnesses had alerted the Munich police via the emergency call 110, who then called their colleagues responsible for the railway lines. The investigations are difficult. It is still unclear how many people were in the regional express. The federal police (phone 089/ 51 55 50 – 11 11) are looking for witnesses to the incident, including the previously unknown driver.
The federal police were only informed about the incident at the beginning of the year the next morning after a long delay. Now there is a suspicion of frustration of the law, which is why “at least one other DB employee” is being investigated.
The Federal Bureau for Railway Accident Investigation was informed by the Federal Police as well as the Federal Railway Authority. The second near-crash within three months could have consequences for rail traffic. The federal police can order that trains are only allowed to drive slowly on the section of the route.
