A car fell onto the railway tracks of the Kehärata (Ring Rail Line) in Vantaa, Finland, early Friday morning, causing a disruption in train traffic. The accident occurred at approximately 5:25 AM when the car fell from Katriinantie onto the tracks between Kivistö and Aviapolis stations in the Viinikkala district of Vantaa.
The car was removed from the tracks just before 7:30 AM, according to Sami Marjamäki, the situation manager at Fintraffic's rail traffic control center. The overhead line structures were found to be intact, indicating that the car did not damage the contact wires when it fell.
The driver of the car, who was alone in the vehicle, was taken to the hospital for further examination, as reported by the rescue services. The police are investigating the circumstances that led to the car veering off the road and onto the tracks. "The possible criminal charges are not yet known," said Commissioner Janne Vuorio of the Eastern Uusimaa Police to HS.
The accident caused a complete halt in train traffic on the Kehärata line during the rescue operation. Sixty passengers were evacuated from the train that was stuck on the tracks and transported by bus to Tikkurila railway station. The disruption affected I and P trains, preventing access to Helsinki-Vantaa Airport by train in the morning.
According to HSL's disruption notifications, there were still some delays and cancellations visible at around 8:30 AM, but traffic was gradually returning to normal. The rescue services reported that the car had fallen several meters onto the tracks and had knocked down a fence. Photographer Kari Pullinen, who was at the scene, told HS that it appeared the car might have hit the beginning of the bridge railing, as there were few signs of impact on the railing itself.
The police are continuing their investigation into the cause of the accident. The train traffic on the Kehärata line has resumed, but some delays are expected until 10 AM, according to HSL.
Follow us for live European news
1 further source not geolocated