RAIL ACCIDENT

Train hits platform bumper at Central Station, 41 hospitalized

21.12.2009 u 09:22

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On Monday morning at 5:26 AM, a train arriving from Sisak hit the platform guard at Zagreb's Central Station, the Glavni Kolodvor

Police have not released any information on the severity of injuries sustained. However, the Croatian news agency Hina reports that forty-one passengers have been hospitalized for injuries, and that one passenger is critical.
Zagreb Police Department spokeswoman Aleksandra Ljuba says that the circumstances of the accident are currently subject to investigation, adding that it is difficult to precisely determine the exact cause of the rail accident.

Meanwhile, the Metropolitan Office for Crisis Management says that the train was unable to brake, most likely due to the freezing temperatures. The investigation that is currently underway is expected to uncover the precise cause of the accident.

According to some reports, one passenger sustained a fractured skull in the accident and is fighting for life in the intensive care unit at the Sisters of Mercy hospital in Zagreb, where they will be operated on today. Four other injured passengers were also admitted to the hospital.

The trauma clinic in Zagreb took in 22 passengers. According to preliminary reports, no serious injuries have been reported amongst these injuries, which are mostly limited to bruises.

Eight passengers were admitted to Zagreb General. Reports from that hospital say that there are no serious injuries, but this is still pending a medical examination which is still underway.