The Cause of the Train Accident in Kharkiv Region Was Likely the Truck Driver Running a Red Light - Police

On the evening of April 2, a serious traffic accident occurred in the village of Shelestove, located in the Bohodukhiv district of the Kharkiv region, involving a truck and a train heading to Lviv. Preliminary reports suggest that the truck driver ran a red light at a railway crossing, leading to the collision.

This information was shared during a broadcast by Andriy Sharnin, the first deputy head of the Main Directorate of the National Police in the Kharkiv region and head of the investigative department. He noted that the site of the incident was equipped with a regulated crossing, which included a semaphore, a barrier, and audible and visual signals. According to Sharnin, the truck driver ignored the red traffic light and continued moving, despite the obligation to stop, ultimately finding himself between two barriers at the moment of impact.

Following the collision, the locomotive and six carriages derailed. The truck driver was hospitalized with a closed head injury, as well as various wounds and bruises. His condition is currently assessed as serious but stable.

At the time of the accident, approximately 250 passengers were on board the train. The train's engineer managed to apply emergency braking, which, according to the police, helped minimize the consequences of the accident and avoid casualties among the passengers. Thanks to the quick actions of the engineer, more severe injuries and threats to the lives of those traveling on the train were averted.

Andriy Sharnin also reported that five carriages with passengers were towed by a diesel locomotive back to Kharkiv. Railway workers are currently taking all necessary measures to restore the remaining six carriages to the tracks and unblock train movement. It has been noted that the situation on the railway is under control, and all services are working to eliminate the aftermath of the accident.

This incident has raised concerns among passengers and local residents, as safety at railway crossings remains a pressing issue. The police urge drivers to adhere to traffic rules and be particularly vigilant at intersections where railway crossings are present. It is essential to remember that ignoring signals can lead to tragic consequences.

It is worth recalling that similar incidents are not isolated, and there have been previous cases where drivers failed to comply with railway crossing regulations. The police and railway workers are continuously working to enhance safety at crossings, but the responsibility for adhering to the rules ultimately lies with the drivers.

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