GIRONA – On Monday afternoon, a train collided with a fallen tree on the track in Girona. Twelve people were injured. It concerns the train between Sils and Caldes de Malavella.
Twelve people were injured with minor bruises on Monday when a train ran over a tree that had fallen on the track between Sils and Caldes de Malavella. Furthermore, the train, which had left Portbou at 2.35 pm, and was on its way to Barcelona, was carrying 230 travellers. The passengers were evacuated with help from firefighters and the Mossos d’Esquadra and boarded buses to continue their journey.
Train traffic suspended – Sils to Caldes
According to Renfe, the accident happened at 4.00 pm and train traffic between Sils and Caldes had to be suspended. Alternative road transport has therefore been arranged to facilitate mobility on the R11 and RG1 lines between Maçanet and Girona. Travellers from Girona and Figueres use AVE as much as possible.
The tree damaged overhead wires and destroyed the front of the train. Smoke developed immediately after the collision with the tree, according to witnesses to the incident. Furthermore, the power line has been severely damaged, which will certainly delay repair work.
Emergency staff on the scene
The injured were treated by ambulance teams who arrived quickly on the scene. However, one person had to be evacuated by helicopter directly from the train to Josep Trueta hospital in Girona. He was unable to walk and required a stretcher. Therefore, he could not be transported by the firefighters’ 4×4. Another injured person was taken to Santa Caterina Hospital in Salt.
Passengers have been informed by the controller and security personnel travelling on the train, railway company Renfe said. At the time of the accident, the protocols were activated to coordinate the situation with the civil protection services.
Adif technicians will evaluate the causes of the accident. A few weeks ago another tree fell on the track in the same area.
