Third fatal accident in a year at Viersen railway crossing

A tragic accident occurred at a semi-barricaded railway crossing in Viersen, Germany, on Wednesday afternoon, resulting in the death of a 61-year-old man and his dog. The man was hit by a passenger train while crossing the tracks on foot, according to police.

This incident is the third fatal accident at this particular Viersen crossing in just over a year. The first occurred in June of the previous year when an 88-year-old cyclist was struck and killed by a train. Police at the time suspected the woman attempted to cross the double-track railway despite the half-barricade being closed.

In August of the same year, a 65-year-old man lost his life at the same crossing. Authorities indicated he likely also tried to cross while the half-barricade was down. He was reportedly pushing his bicycle when the passenger train hit him.

The train driver involved in Wednesday's incident is receiving support from a crisis counselor. Approximately 150 passengers on the train were safely transferred to buses by the fire department. Another passenger train, traveling in the opposite direction and not involved in the collision, was rerouted. Rail traffic in the area was temporarily suspended following the accident.