Shock in St. Gallen: Locomotive bounces on rail excavators - injured!

Shock in St. Gallen: Locomotive bounces on rail excavators - injured!

In the night of Monday, May 19, 2025, a serious collision occurred between a locomotive and a rail excavator in the east of St. Gallen, in the Heiligkreuz area. An incident that focuses on the safety in rail traffic again and illuminates the accident spectrum in the railway sector.

In the accident, two track workers aged 29 and 40 were seriously injured. The locomotive driver, who is 60 years old, also had to be taken to the hospital for control. Rescue measures were immediately initiated, in which the St. Gallen professional fire brigade as well as three ambulances and two emergency doctors were deployed. An SBB intervention team also took on psychological first aid and supported with a fire and rescue train.

consequences of the accident and interruption of traffic

The direct sequence of this collision is the interruption of rail traffic between St. Gallen and Goldach/Rorschach. In order to clarify the circumstances of the accident, the Swiss Security Investigation Center (Sust) has initiated an investigation. The participants work closely with the authorities to determine the exact processes and causes.

This incident takes place in the context of a worrying trend in rail safety. According to a current report by the International Railway Association (UIC), there has been significantly significantly recorded railway accidents in Europe since 2020. In 2023, 36 railway companies from 33 countries were asked to share their safety -relevant data, which ultimately shows that the industry increasingly focuses on security and accident protection. Although these numbers rise, a slight decline in the global security index (GSI) was found, which indicates some progress, but also shows many challenges.

safety data and outlook

The UIC security database has recorded significant accidents since 2006. The recent analyzes clarify that accidents at level crossings could be reduced by about 7 %, while the number of collisions has increased with obstacles. This throws a skill light on the need to increase preventive measures and to improve the security protocols in critical areas. For the upcoming security report 2024, the UIC plans to specifically focus the crossings to holding signals.

While the events in St. Gallen are developing, the industry remains challenged to consistently implement the teachings from this and other incidents in order to further increase the safety in rail traffic. The examination of the green security testing agency will give decisive impulses in order to avoid such tragic accidents in the future. All organizations involved in the accident and the security authorities are now working together on the clarification and improvement of the overall situation in the area of railway safety.