A lorry driver has been seriously injured and 12 rail passengers have been slightly injured in a collision between a heavy goods vehicle and a train in the village of Koolskamp, in the West Flemish municipality of Ardooie.
The accident happened after a lorry got stuck on a level crossing. The driver of the truck was catapulted half way out of his cab by the impact of the collision. He was given first aid at the scene and then taken to hospital in a critical condition. 12 passengers that were on the train sustained slight injuries. The accident means that rail services between Tielt and Lichtevelde are currently suspended.
The lorry driver was on his way to a company on the Oude Heirweg in Koolskamp just before noon on Tuesday. For an as yet unknown reason his vehicle became stuck on the level crossing. A train that was heading towards Lichtevelde crashed into the lorry.
An eyewitness told VRT News that "We heard a loud bang and suddenly saw a flame shot up and this was followed by an enormous cloud of smoke”.
The eyewitness was working close to the scene of the accident. He and his colleagues rushed to the driver’s aid. “The impact of the crash had forced the cab of the lorry free from it trailer. The drivers was hanging half way out of the cab. We took care of him and called the emergency services”.
The emergency services attended the scene in numbers and the lorry driver was given first aid before being taken to the AZ Delta hospital in Roeselare, where his condition is described as critical.
The train came to a halt a little further up the track. 12 passengers that were on the train were slightly injured. The train was evacuated, and the passengers were taken to a nearby café.
Rail services between Tielt and Lichtevelde have been suspended. It is as yet unclear as to when they will resume.