A video sent to RTL’s newsroom on Monday shows a bus hitched to a tow truck stuck on the tracks as the barriers came down and warning lights flashed. A train can be seen approaching at high speed, narrowly avoiding the vehicles.
According to Luxembourg’s rail operator CFL, the incident took place on 16 June shortly before 8pm, after a motorist reported that a bus had damaged the barrier while crossing. Trains in the area were forced to slow down as a result, causing delays and cancellations on the line that evening.
CFL reiterated that drivers of long vehicles, such as buses and trucks, must always ensure they can clear the crossing completely before proceeding onto the tracks. “When the red lights flash and the alarm sounds at the barrier, you must stop. The braking distance of a train can be up to 1,200 metres – far too long to stop in time if a vehicle remains on the tracks.”
The video shows the tow truck driver managing to regain control of the situation just in time, driving through the barrier at its designed break point to pull both vehicles clear of danger.
Between 2015 and 2024, CFL recorded 769 incidents at level crossings, 45 percent of which involved professional drivers. The company says it continues to raise awareness about the risks and responsibilities of crossing the tracks.
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Safety campaign: CFL, police warn against risky behaviour at Luxembourg’s level crossings
