A collision has taken place between a bus and a passenger train at a level crossing in the West Flemish village of Zedelgem. The bus that had broken down on the level crossing was dragged along by the train. The drive of the bus had already evacuated the passengers, most of whom children, just prior to the crash.
The Mayor of Zedelgem Annick Vermeulen (Christian democrat) told VRT News that “We should be grateful for the swift action taken by the bus driver. The bus broke down and he decided to make everyone get off. Thank goodness, I can't think of what would have happened otherwise, especially with all those children that were on the bus.”
The level crossing on the Koning Alberstraat in Veldegem is completely closed to both road and rail traffic. Part of the bus is still hanging from the train. The crash caused the train to derail and it came to a halt several hundred metres down the track.
Disruption to rail services in West Flanders
The Belgian rail company NMBS’ spokesman Bart Crols told VRT News that “Pretty much everyone that was on the train escaped injury. We need to examine whether any damage has been any technical or infrastructural damage. So, it will be some time before the train will be towed away.”
Disruption to rail services in West Flanders is likely to continue for some time. A replacement bus service is operating to ferry passengers between the stations in Bruges and Lichtervelde.