An 83-year-old man has died after the car he was driving was hit by a train on a level crossing at Idegem, near to the East Flemish town of Geraardsbergen. The motorist is believed to have been blinded by the low sun. The accident has resulted in the suspension of rail services between Nivove and Geraardsbergen (both East Flanders).
83-year-old motorist dies in collision with train on level crossing in East Flanders
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The collision happened at around 10:30 am on Tuesday at the level crossing on the Bareelstraat in Idegem. The emergency services went to scene and freed the 83-year-old man that was inside the car from his vehicle. However, he was already dead.
The cause of the accident is still unclear. An investigation is under way to find out what exactly happened.
Frédéric Petit of the rail infrastructure management company Infrabel told VRT News that "The gates were closed and the light was on red. The motorist was probably blinded by the low sun and this was an unfortunate accident”.
"There were only 2 passengers on board the train. They got off the train and were taken by taxi to their destination", Dimitri Temmerman of the rail service operator NMBS told VRT News.
Meanwhile, rail services between Ninove and Geeradsbergen have been suspended. A replacement bus service is in place.