A 26-year-old woman died after she pushed her two-year-old daughter's pram to safety from the path of an oncoming train. The incident occurred Saturday at a level crossing at Leingarten-Mitte station, west of Heilbronn, Germany.
The woman, whose identity has not been released, was crossing the tracks when she failed to notice the regional express train approaching, according to German newspaper Bild. In a final act, she was able to push the pram clear of the tracks before she was struck by the train. She died at the scene.
The child and 43 passengers on the train were unharmed. Local police are investigating the incident and have examined the signalling system at the crossing. A police spokesperson stated that, with expert assistance, they determined both audible and visual signals were functioning correctly. However, reports indicate that unlike other railway crossings in the area, this particular crossing did not have barriers or gates.
Investigators plan to review the train's black box data, interview witnesses, and commission a further expert report. Eyewitnesses told local media that the train driver activated the emergency brake and sounded the warning signal. A police spokesperson confirmed that "At the last moment, the woman pushed the stroller off the tracks, then she was hit by the train."