82-year-old rams train - dramatic accident at the level crossing in Ebensee!

82-year-old rams train - dramatic accident at the level crossing in Ebensee!

On December 27, 2025, around 5 p.m., a serious incident occurred at a railway crossing in the municipality of Ebensee in Upper Austria. An 82-year-old pensioner from the Gmunden district drove towards a closed barrier at extremely high speed and collided with a train that was passing through the crossing at the time. The man previously damaged a garden fence when he strayed onto the left side of the road, but continued driving without stopping. Despite the tragedy of the incident, fortunately no one was injured. The train driver initiated emergency braking, but was unable to prevent the collision.

The train driver, as well as the train of around 200 people and the 82-year-old himself, remained unharmed. The pensioner was taken to the Vöcklabruck Clinic as a preventative measure; the alcohol tests were negative. The Ebensee and Roith fire departments were on duty and were quickly on the scene to deal with the situation.

The dangers at railway crossings

This incident is an example of the numerous dangers that lurk at railway crossings. According to the Federal Police, many accidents at level crossings are often due to the misconduct of road users. Carelessness, inattention and ignorance of the meaning of traffic signs and barriers contribute significantly to these accidents.

Level crossings are level crossings between road and rail and should be approached with extreme caution. Red lights and closed barriers mean stop; These rules are crucial for the safety of all road users. Accidents at such crossings are often serious or fatal - not only for those involved, but also for the train's passengers.

Statistics and security projects

In 2022, the Deutsche Bahn AG network counted a total of 13,624 level crossings, over 70% of which are technically secured. Securing level crossings is a high priority because rail vehicles cannot swerve like other means of transport and have long braking distances. Therefore, around 170 million euros are invested annually in the safety of level crossings, while an additional 340 million euros are provided by the federal government and road construction authorities.

The need for such safety investments is also reflected in the fact that many accidents are due to misconduct. A program to eliminate level crossings initiated in 1980 aims to minimize the risk of such incidents. Between 2010 and 2020, the number of level crossings fell by 21%, and the number of accidents has fallen consistently in recent years. This is a positive trend that highlights measures to improve safety at level crossings.

Overall, it should be noted that the dangers at level crossings must be taken seriously. Road users are urged to be aware of the risks and to always observe the applicable traffic regulations. The Bundespolizei prevention campaign “safely over it” is just one example of the continuous efforts to improve safety at level crossings and avoid accidents.

For further information about safety at level crossings and the associated risks, take a look at the Research Information System documentation.