A tragic accident occurred during track maintenance work in the Swiss city of St. Gallen on the morning of May 19. A locomotive hit an excavator while it was manoeuvring on the tracks where repair crews were working. Two railway workers were seriously injured and taken to hospital.
Details of the Accident and Condition of the Injured
The incident occurred while the locomotive was moving on the rails. The force of the collision seriously injured two railway workers, aged 29 and 40. Medical teams quickly arrived at the scene and immediately transported both injured to hospital. The 60-year-old locomotive operator involved in the accident was also examined but was discharged as his condition was stable.
Disruptions in Train Services and Investigation Launched
Due to the accident, train services between St. Gallen and Goldach/Rorschach were temporarily suspended. Some routes were cancelled, others were diverted. The train operator provided an alternative transport service with buses to reduce the inconvenience to passengers.
The Swiss Transport Safety Investigation Board (SUST) immediately launched a comprehensive investigation into the incident. Investigators are focusing on whether safety protocols were followed appropriately in order to determine the cause of the accident.
Suspicions of Coordination Error
Preliminary findings indicate that technical teams were involved in the accident. a possible coordination error points out. Experts believe human error may have played a decisive role in the accident. While the technical assessment process is ongoing, the results of the investigation are expected to lead to stricter safety regulations for rail operations and updates to infrastructure work protocols. Such accidents once again highlight the criticality of occupational safety and operational coordination.
