A truck driver is expected to face charges after his vehicle became stuck on a railway crossing in Gdansk, Poland, and was struck by a speeding passenger train on Thursday. The incident, which caused extensive damage and widespread train delays, resulted in injuries to the truck driver and minor injuries to two passengers and the conductor aboard the train. All 300 passengers on the train were forced to evacuate.
The orange HGV became trapped between the barriers at the crossing as it attempted to cross the tracks. Footage of the incident shows the driver initially trying to reverse, then opening his door, apparently spotting the approaching train. He quickly closed the door and attempted to move forward, but the train collided with the rear section of the lorry, sending debris and sparks into the air. The train came to a halt after the impact.
The 42-year-old driver, identified as a Bosnian national, was taken to the hospital. Two passengers and the train conductor were examined at the scene and released. The train, carrying 300 passengers, had been traveling from Gdynia to Zielona Gora.
Investigation and Impact
Representatives from the Gdansk prosecutor's office have launched an investigation into the accident on suspicion of "creating the risk of a transport catastrophe." The driver is due to appear before prosecutors and is expected to face charges. The collision caused an estimated PLN 140,000 (approximately £28,000) in damage. According to the transport office PKP, the incident led to delays for 279 trains totaling over 17,500 minutes, with 30 trains canceled and 45 diverted.
A government representative described the driver's actions as "extremely stupid," stating that he created a "real threat of a land disaster." Local reports indicate that a similar situation occurred the following day when another lorry driver got stuck between the barriers, though no collision resulted. This location has reportedly been the subject of local calls for improved safety measures, including separate crossings, for nearly two decades.
