Early in the morning of September 4th, a serious railway accident occurred near Van Dien station, in the area bordering Ngoc Hoi road, Hanoi. This train-truck collision not only disrupted railway traffic but also raised concerns about safety at level crossings.
At approximately 5:20 AM, passenger train SE4, en route from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi, unexpectedly collided with a truck as it attempted to cross a public level crossing. This crossing is fully equipped with traffic lights and warning signs; however, the unfortunate accident still took place.
Aftermath of train-truck crash near Van Dien station, Sep 4, 2024.
Scene of the train-truck collision: Truck deformed, train slightly damaged
Initial reports from the scene indicate that the strong impact caused the truck to spin sideways on the tracks, with its cargo bed suffering severe deformation. The train’s front also sustained minor dents, demonstrating the significant force of the collision. Debris from the truck was scattered throughout the area, highlighting the severity of the train-truck collision.
Fortunately, the truck’s cabin remained relatively intact. The truck driver sustained only minor injuries and was able to leave the scene independently shortly after the accident, according to reports from the train driver. The specific cause of the truck crossing the level crossing as the train approached remains unclear, although the warning system is reported to have been functioning normally.
Resolving the incident and clearing the scene of the train-truck collision
Immediately following the train-truck collision, the incident caused railway congestion. The truck became lodged with the train, disrupting the journey of train SE4 and potentially affecting the schedules of other trains.
By approximately 6:30 AM, rescue forces had dispatched specialized cranes to the scene to begin the salvage operation. After over an hour of effort, by 7:00 AM, the truck wreckage was removed from the tracks, restoring normal traffic flow to the railway line. Train SE4 then continued its journey to Hanoi station, arriving later than its original schedule due to the train-truck collision.
The train-truck collision near Van Dien station once again serves as a stark warning regarding railway traffic safety at level crossings. Despite the presence of warning systems, the traffic law compliance of road users, particularly large vehicles like trucks, needs to be improved to prevent similar unfortunate accidents in the future. Authorities need to strengthen inspections, supervision, and implement more decisive measures to ensure safety at road-rail intersections nationwide.
