The accident happened at around 5.40am. The 546 Ostravan InterCity train collided with a truck at a level crossing. Spokesman for Rail Safety Inspection Office said the accident happened at a level crossing which is secured by traffic lights and barriers. A locomotive and a carriage derailed after the collision, and the overhead wires were damaged.
According to the spokeswoman for the regional fire brigade, 35 people were on the train, 16 of whom were injured in the collision. "All the injured have already been freed and handed over to the emergency services. A bus is on its way to the scene to pick up the uninjured," she said, adding that all components of the integrated rescue system were now on the scene.
Five emergency services responded to the accident, including four ground crews and a helicopter. "We treated people with minor and moderate injuries, mostly light injuries. Patients are being transported and transferred to hospitals in Karvina, Havířov and Ostrava City Hospital. One woman with moderate injuries was flown to the University Hospital in Ostrava," said a spokesman for the rescue services.
According to the iDnes server, the truck driver said that the warning lights were not yet flashing when he entered the intersection. "But I got stuck on the tracks, then the barriers came down and I couldn't get away," the man said.
Traffic on the line may be stopped all day, investigators said.
