Dalfsen train crash

At 08:50 CET (07:50 UTC), a passenger train collided with an elevated work platform at Dalfsen, Overijssel, Netherlands. The crane, from company Van den Brink in Barneveld, was being driven slowly across the line when it was hit by the train.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-35639164 |title=Dutch train derails at Dalfsen after hitting crane |publisher=BBC News Online |accessdate=23 February 2014 |archive-date=24 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160224230104/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-35639164 |url-status=live }} Its driver had waited at the crossing while one train passed, but then started to cross and was hit by a second train. The train involved was a Spurt GTW 2/8 train,{{cite web |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/BCISVm-GVr7/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/instagram/telegraaf.nl/1191282751229745915 |archive-date=25 December 2021 |url-access=registration|title=(aerial photo of derailed train) |publisher=De Telegraaf via Instagram |accessdate=23 February 2016}}{{cbignore}} travelling from {{rws|Zwolle}} to {{rws|Coevorden}}.{{cite web |url=http://www.telegraaf.nl/binnenland/25259898/___Dood_door_schuld_machinist__.html |title=Kraanmachinist verdacht van dood door schuld |trans-title=Crane operator suspected of manslaughter |publisher=De Telegraaf |language=Dutch |accessdate=24 February 2016 |archive-date=24 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160224161056/http://www.telegraaf.nl/binnenland/25259898/___Dood_door_schuld_machinist__.html |url-status=live }} All four vehicles were derailed. At the time of the crash, the train had fifteen passengers on board.{{cite web |url=http://www.dutchnews.nl/news/archives/2016/02/several-injured-as-train-ploughs-into-crane-at-railway-crossing/ |title=One killed, several injured as train ploughs into crane at railway crossing |date=23 February 2016 |publisher=Dutch News |accessdate=23 February 2016 |archive-date=24 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160224095850/http://www.dutchnews.nl/news/archives/2016/02/several-injured-as-train-ploughs-into-crane-at-railway-crossing/ |url-status=live }} One person, the driver of the train, was killed.{{cite web |url=http://www.nltimes.nl/2016/02/23/at-least-two-killed-after-passenger-train-smashes-crane-train-overturned/ |title=At least one killed after passenger train smashes crane; Train overturned |first=Janene |last=Peters |publisher=NL Times |accessdate=23 February 2016 |archive-date=6 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160506214051/http://www.nltimes.nl/2016/02/23/at-least-two-killed-after-passenger-train-smashes-crane-train-overturned |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |url=http://www.euronews.com/2016/02/23/train-crash-in-netherlands-two-dead-and-several-injured-as-train-derails-near/ |title=Deadly train crash in Netherlands |work=Euronews |date=23 February 2016 |access-date=23 February 2016 |archive-date=8 January 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170108173320/http://www.euronews.com/2016/02/23/train-crash-in-netherlands-two-dead-and-several-injured-as-train-derails-near |url-status=live }} Six were injured, with one person sustaining serious injuries.

Two of the injured were taken to hospital in Zwolle. They were the train's conductor and a female passenger.{{cite web |url=http://www.dvhn.nl/binnenland/Machinist-trein-49-jarige-man-uit-Kampen-21144083.html |title=Machinist trein 49-jarige man uit Kampen |trans-title=Train driver a 49-year old from Kampen |language=Dutch |publisher=Dagblad van het Noorden |accessdate=23 February 2015 |archive-date=24 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160224091657/http://www.dvhn.nl/binnenland/Machinist-trein-49-jarige-man-uit-Kampen-21144083.html |url-status=live }} The other four were treated at the scene.{{cite web |url=http://www.telegraaf.nl/binnenland/25252268/___Ongeluk_door_inschattingsfout___.html |title='Treinongeluk door inschattingsfout' |trans-title=Train accident due to error of judgement |publisher=De Telegraaf |language=Dutch |accessdate=23 February 2015 |archive-date=23 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160223135721/http://www.telegraaf.nl/binnenland/25252268/___Ongeluk_door_inschattingsfout___.html |url-status=live }} Twelve ambulances were sent to the scene. An air ambulance from the University Medical Center Groningen attended.

The Grove MZ 90 CR elevated work platform weighed 20 tonnes. Equipped with caterpillar tracks, it had a top speed of approximately {{convert|1|km/h|mph}}. The platform had been parked on the south side of the railway line, and was to be driven to a point north of the railway where it was to be loaded onto a lorry. The operator waited until a train had passed before he started to cross, believing he had sufficient time to do so. Unknown to the operator, the next train was due in six minutes; the operator assumed he had approximately ten minutes. Unlike those in the United Kingdom, level crossings in the Netherlands provide no guidance for operators of large and/or slow vehicles, nor was a telephone link to a signalman provided. Thus the platform operator had no way of ascertaining that it was safe to cross.

Whilst he was crossing, he saw the train approaching and attempted to attract the attention of the train driver as he continued to cross in an attempt to clear the crossing before the train arrived. The train driver would only have realised that the crossing was obstructed at a distance of {{convert|175|m|yd}}, but the train would have required a distance of {{convert|800|m|yd}} to stop at the speed it was travelling at ({{convert|140|km/h|mph}}). The driver activated the emergency brakes within a second of seeing the obstruction, slowing the train to {{convert|107|km/h|mph}} at the point of impact. The platform was pushed {{convert|15|m|yd}} along the line until it collided with a pole supporting the overhead line. The impact caused the platform to break into its three main parts and lifted the front of the train, which derailed, stopping a further {{convert|150|m|yd}} further along the line. The cab of the train was destroyed, killing the driver. The platform operator jumped from the vehicle shortly before the collision, sustaining minor injuries.

It was initially expected that the line between {{rws|Zwolle}} and {{rws|Ommen}} would be closed for at least three days.{{cite web |url=http://www.telegraaf.nl/binnenland/25250411/__Ongeluk_met_passagierstrein__.html |title=Doden en gewonden bij treinramp Dalfsen |trans-title=Dead and wounded in train disaster at Dalfsen |publisher=De Telegraaf |language=Dutch |accessdate=23 February 2015 |archive-date=23 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160223135727/http://www.telegraaf.nl/binnenland/25250411/__Ongeluk_met_passagierstrein__.html |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.dvhn.nl/drenthe/Nog-minstens-drie-dagen-geen-treinen-rond-Dalfsen-21144026.html |title=Nog minstens drie dagen geen treinen rond Dalfsen |trans-title=At least three further days without trains through Dalfsen |language=Dutch |publisher=Dagblad van het Noorden |accessdate=23 February 2015 |archive-date=24 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160224094936/http://www.dvhn.nl/drenthe/Nog-minstens-drie-dagen-geen-treinen-rond-Dalfsen-21144026.html |url-status=live }} Arriva instigated a bus replacement service between those stations.

Work to remove the train took place over the night of 23–24 February, with the first carriage being removed during the night. Once the train has been removed, repairs were made to the track and catenary, {{convert|180|m|yd}} of which were affected.{{cite web |url=http://www.telegraaf.nl/binnenland/25274412/___Zondag_weer_treinen_bij_Dalfsen___.html |title='Zondag weer treinen bij Dalfsen' |trans-title=Trains through Dalfsen again on Sunday |publisher=De Telegraaf |language=Dutch |accessdate=26 February 2015 |archive-date=5 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305054651/http://www.telegraaf.nl/binnenland/25274412/___Zondag_weer_treinen_bij_Dalfsen___.html |url-status=live }} The damaged carriages were taken to a depot in Meppel.{{cite web |url=http://www.nltimes.nl/2016/02/24/train-engineer-49-killed-in-derailment-was-new-to-the-job-well-regarded-at-home/ |title=Train engineer killed in derailment was new to the job; well-regarded at home |first=Janene |last=Pieters |publisher=NL Times |accessdate=23 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160224142236/http://www.nltimes.nl/2016/02/24/train-engineer-49-killed-in-derailment-was-new-to-the-job-well-regarded-at-home/ |archive-date=24 February 2016 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |url=http://www.telegraaf.nl/binnenland/25262606/__Ontspoorde_trein_geborgen__.html |title=Ontspoorde trein bij Dalfsen geborgen |trans-title=Derailed train at Dalfsen salvaged |publisher=De Telegraaf |language=Dutch |date=24 February 2016 |accessdate=25 February 2016 |archive-date=25 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160225095700/http://www.telegraaf.nl/binnenland/25262606/__Ontspoorde_trein_geborgen__.html |url-status=live }} Following repairs, the line was reopened in the evening of 27 February.{{cite web |url=http://www.telegraaf.nl/binnenland/25282126/__Trein_Ommen-Zwolle_rijdt_weer__.html |title=Trein Ommen-Zwolle rijdt weer |trans-title=Trains running again between Ommen and Zwolle |publisher=De Telegraaf |language=Dutch |date=27 February 2016 |accessdate=28 February 2016 |archive-date=28 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160228170732/http://www.telegraaf.nl/binnenland/25282126/__Trein_Ommen-Zwolle_rijdt_weer__.html |url-status=live }}

File:Grove p1.JPGFile:UftonNervet LevelCrossing signs.JPG

The Dutch Safety Board ({{langx|nl|Onderzoeksraad Voor Veiligheid}}, OVV) are responsible for investigating railway accidents in the Netherlands. An investigation was opened into the accident.{{cite web |url=http://www.onderzoeksraad.nl/nl/onderzoek/2207/treinontsporing-dalfsen/onderzoek/1672/onderzoek-naar-ontspoorde-trein-dalfsen |title=Treinontsporing Dalfsen |trans-title=Derailment at Dalfsen |publisher=Onderzoeksraad Voor Veiligheid |language=Dutch |accessdate=23 February 2013 |archive-date=6 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306235605/http://www.onderzoeksraad.nl/nl/onderzoek/2207/treinontsporing-dalfsen/onderzoek/1672/onderzoek-naar-ontspoorde-trein-dalfsen |url-status=dead }} The OVV published its final report into the accident in December 2016.{{cite web |url=https://www.onderzoeksraad.nl/nl/media/attachment/2018/7/10/c98eaae1ab15rapport_botsing_dalfsen_nl_interactief.pdf |title=Botsing tussen een reizigerstrein en een hoogwerker te Dalfsen |trans-title=Collision between a passenger train and an elevated platform at Dalfsen |publisher=Onderzoeksraad Voor Veiligheid |language=Dutch |accessdate=17 April 2023 |archive-date=17 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220117153007/https://www.onderzoeksraad.nl/nl/media/attachment/2018/7/10/c98eaae1ab15rapport_botsing_dalfsen_nl_interactief.pdf |url-status=live }}

The investigation found that the cause of the crash was that the elevated work platform obstructed the line, but that there was no mechanism in place to allow the operator of the vehicle to ascertain whether or not it was safe to cross. Six recommendations were made. The impact forces sustained by the cab of the train were four times higher than those it was designed to withstand, which is why the cab was destroyed in the accident. The driver had insufficient time available to avoid the accident or retreat from the cab to a survival space within the train. Following the accident, vehicles with steel caterpillar tracks were prohibited from using level crossings in the Netherlands. One of the recommendations was that ProRail should look at the issue of drivers of large/slow vehicles being able to ascertain whether or not it was safe to cross a level crossing. ProRail has responded by stating that it is "embracing" the recommendations.{{cite web |url=http://nltimes.nl/2016/12/13/february-train-crash-investigation-prompts-call-safety-rules |title=February train crash investigation prompts call for more safety rules |first=Janene |last=Pieters |publisher=NL Times |date=13 December 2016 |accessdate=14 December 2016 |archive-date=17 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230417154811/https://nltimes.nl/2016/12/13/february-train-crash-investigation-prompts-call-safety-rules |url-status=live }}

The Dutch police opened a separate investigation into the accident. The elevated work platform driver was detained for questioning.{{cite web |url=http://www.nltimes.nl/2016/02/23/police-question-crane-operator-in-fatal-train-derailment-7-hurt/ |title=Police question crane operator in fatal train derailment; 7 hurt |first=Janene |last=Pieters |publisher=NL Times |accessdate=23 February 2016 }}{{Dead link|date=March 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} He could have faced charges of causing death by negligence, causing a fatal traffic collision and causing danger on the railway.{{cite web |url=http://www.nltimes.nl/2016/02/24/crane-driver-investigated-for-negligence-in-fatal-train-crash/ |title=Crane driver suspected of causing fatal train crash |first=Janene |last=Pieters |publisher=NL Times |accessdate=24 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160224195248/http://www.nltimes.nl/2016/02/24/crane-driver-investigated-for-negligence-in-fatal-train-crash/ |archive-date=24 February 2016 |url-status=dead }} In September 2017, the driver was charged with causing a traffic accident resulting in death and injury.{{cite web |url=https://nltimes.nl/2017/09/05/crane-operator-prosecuted-fatal-train-derailment |title=Crane operator to be prosecuted for fatal train derailment |publisher=NL Times |date=5 September 2017 |accessdate=4 April 2023 |archive-date=17 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230417154747/https://nltimes.nl/2017/09/05/crane-operator-prosecuted-fatal-train-derailment |url-status=live }}

== See also ==

• Hixon rail crash in Britain,1968.

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{{2016 railway accidents}}

{{Railway accidents in the Netherlands}}

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Category:2016 in the Netherlands

Category:Dalfsen

Category:February 2016 in the Netherlands

Category:Level crossing incidents in the Netherlands

Category:Railway accidents in 2016

Category:2016 disasters in the Netherlands