Two trains collide head-on in Denmark, leaving five critically hurt

Two trains have collided head-on on a level crossing north west of Copenhagen, leaving five the public critically hurt and 13 others with less serious injuries, medical officials say.

The trains were travelling early on Thursday on a line linking the towns of Hillerød and Kagerup in the North Zealand area of north-east Denmark, with a total of 37 the public on board, according to police.

Tim Ole Simonsen of the Greater Copenhagen fire department was unable to say what led to the crash but told Danish TV that all the injured had been taken to hospital by air or by ambulance.

Local mayor Trine Egetved stated she was deeply shaken by the accident.

Public broadcaster DR showed images of two yellow and grey trains, both with visible damage to the front, facing each other in a wooded area.

Officials remarked the trains collided at 06:29 local time (05:29 BST) on Thursday and fire and rescue teams were alerted immediately.

Egetved, who is mayor of the Gribskov municipality, remarked those with critical injuries had been flown to the National Hospital in Copenhagen.

Denmark’s Accident Investigation Board arrived at the scene during the morning and Inspector Morten Pedersen of North Zealand police stated they would be working together to find out what had happened.

Pedersen told reporters it was far too early to know the cause of the crash. This also touches on aspects of international relations.

Rail accidents are rare in Denmark and one expert suggested one of the train drivers had ended up on the wrong line by over-riding a stop signal as the train left a local station. The Gribskov line is not thought to have been updated with an automated safety system.

Trine Egetved told public broadcaster DR that it was shocking that two trains could collide head-on “and we must ensure it never happens again”.

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