The tractor driver will not be punished for the fatal accident of the Hooghalen train

A train driver from Smilde will not be punished for a fatal collision with a train in Hooghalen in 2020. The train driver was killed in the accident.

The Attorney General’s Office (OM) had requested 180 hours of community service and a one-year driving ban suspended for gross negligence. The court finds that there is no negligence, reports RTV Drenthe.

The 52-year-old man crossed an unattended level crossing with his tractor and fully loaded trailer. He overlooked an oncoming train. The train dragged the trailer hundreds of meters. Hardenberg’s engineer did not survive the hit.

The tractor driver called a family member shortly before the crossing. According to the judge it was not established that he had the phone in his hand and that he was distracted when he crossed the track.

Shortly after the crash, experts concluded that visibility had been reduced by drizzle, ground fog, vegetation and an electrical panel.

Due to the drizzle and fog on the ground, the man tilted his head far forward and looked left and right several times, he told the court two weeks ago. He didn’t see an approaching train at the time and the judge finds it believable.

An investigation by Dutch Railways and ProRail after the accident also showed that heavy traffic had too little time to cross some junctions safely. According to the court, this was also the case in this situation. According to ProRail, six transitions, including two in Hooghalen, were so dangerous that they had to be closed as soon as possible. This really happened in Hooghalen.

Watch the video of the accident here: