Railway accident in Züllichau

The Züllichau railway accident on October 28, 1909 is the earliest collision between a motor vehicle and a train with fatalities documented in the literature .

Starting position

The branch line Züllichau – Wollstein (today: Sulechów - Wolsztyn ) was crossed by an unrestricted, level crossing of the road Züllichau – Unruhstadt (today: Kargowa and road no. 32). Since it was a branch line, level crossings did not have to be secured by barriers.

The goods train 540 traveled the route on the night of October 28, 1909 at a speed of 30 km / h. The visibility was very good because the moon was shining .

the accident

As the train approached the level crossing, the engine driver gave all the required warning signals for crossing an open level crossing. At the same time, a motor vehicle occupied by four people drove towards the level crossing at the highest possible speed without braking. When the train driver noticed that the car was approaching the level crossing without braking, he tried an emergency brake , but it came too late to prevent the collision. The car crashed into the wall of a freight car , killing all four occupants instantly.

examination

The engine driver had behaved absolutely according to the regulations. Only the risky driving style of the driver had led to the accident. Since the railway line was clearly visible from the road, it can be assumed that the driver had completely incorrectly estimated either the speed of his own vehicle or that of the train. At that time there was no method to measure the blood alcohol concentration .

literature

• Ludwig Ritter von Stockert: Railway accidents. A contribution to railway operations theory. , Vol. 1. Leipzig 1913, p. 201, No. 81.

Coordinates: 52 ° 5 ′ 50 "  N , 15 ° 42 ′ 27.7"  E