Vehicle, specifically a truck, loses balance and plummets from a bridge onto a train track.
A battered vehicle, presumably a truck, sits sprawled on numerous train tracks following an accident where it plummeted off an overpass. At first glance, the emergency responders assume the driver has sustained only minor injuries. However, further examination reveals a more grave situation.
In the Rhineland region's Rhein-Erft district, the incident took place near Horrem station in Kerpen, as reported by the police in Bergheim. Initial reports suggested that the driver may have been under the influence of some substances, leading to severe injuries. As a result, both rail and road traffic have been disrupted and are anticipated to be affected for several hours.
The vehicular wreckage is believed to have plowed through the bridge railing and tumbled from the railway overpass around 11:50 AM. This also resulted in damage to power lines and spilled fuel. The area was secured, and evacuation of a passenger train carrying sixty passengers was necessary due to the incident's proximity.
Further examination
The 42-year-old driver was transported to an intensive care unit in critical condition. At first, the authorities reported that the driver's injuries were minor. However, a later drug test returned positive, leading to the ordering of a blood test. Investigations are still being conducted.
The removal and investigation of the fallen truck, along with its contents, a granulate, are expected to take several hours, according to police estimates. The site of the incident, Horrem station in Kerpen, is located on the high-speed rail line between Cologne and Aachen.
The police are now investigating the possibility of the driver being under the influence, given the severity of the injuries and initial reports of minor injuries, as this incident took place within the jurisdiction of the European Union's member state, Germany.
Considering the gravity of the situation and the disruption to both rail and road traffic, the European Union's emergency response units are coordinating efforts to restore normalcy as soon as possible.
