Nove Zamky: 14 Injured People Taken to Hospital after Train-Lorry Crash (2)

Nove Zamky, 26 February (TASR) - Following the collision between a train and a lorry in Nove Zamky (Nitra region) on Thursday, 14 injured patients were transported to hospitals in Levice, Nitra, Nove Zamky, Galanta and Komarno, while one person sustained injuries incompatible with life, the Emergency Medical Service Operations Centre (OS ZZS) has posted on a social network. "We dispatched six road ambulances of the emergency medical service and a rescue helicopter to the scene of the accident involving a lorry and a train," stated OS ZZS, adding that the incident occurred at a railway crossing in the direction of the village of Banov in Nove Zamky district. According to Jan Bacek, spokesperson for passenger rail carrier ZSSK, traffic on the section has been suspended. At the time of the collision at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, there were 15 passengers and two ZSSK employees on board. In addition to the emergency medical service, the Fire and Rescue Corps are also at the scene, he said. "Rail traffic on the affected section was suspended, with trains currently being rerouted via Palarikovo station. The circumstances and causes of the accident are being investigated by the relevant authorities," added Bacek. ZSSK later reported that the collision occurred at a fully functional and actively secured level crossing equipped with light signals and barriers, adding that the train was derailed after the collision. The company spokesperson also offered assistance via a crisis helpline. "Tragic events on the railways always affect many people, be they passengers, their families and loved ones, or our colleagues and all emergency services taking action at the scene. Experts from the IPcko crisis helpline are available 24/7," said Bacek. NOTE: This story has been updated/extended to include the final two paragraphs jrg/df