Dozens hurt in train collision near Netanya
Two trains collide south of Netanya station prompting Magen David Adom emergency services to declare mass casualty event
Rescue forces reported that 59 people were injured, including three in moderate condition. The rest sustained light wounds. Israel Railways said an inquiry commission has been established to investigate the incident.
An initial inquiry suggests that the engine driver of a train heading to Tel Aviv from Binyamina did not heed a red light and crashed into a train coming from the south. The engine driver sustained moderate wounds.
Some of the victims were treated at the scene and others were rushed to various hospitals in Netanya, Hadera, Kfar Saba and Tel Aviv. They suffer from lacerations, bruises and glass cuts.
Mass casualty event declared (Photo: Arik Carmi)
"We had just left the Netanya station when we heard a boom," Avi Dovitzki, who was on one of the trains, recounted.
"After we got off we saw that 300 meters from the station our train's engine had crashed into a train coming from the south."
He noted that one passenger car had broken off. "It was fortunate the train didn't have time to gather speed. They just rode on the same track at an intersection, one of them didn't heed the traffic light."
Tamir Gal, another passenger, said that there was panic but noted that the rescue forces arrived at the scene quickly.
Trains after collision (Photo: George Ginsburg)
Naftali David of the Sharon rescue forces said: "A train coming from the south crashed into a train coming traveling from the north. There is one crushed passenger car, but the rest are on the track."
Nadav Sneer, who was on the train heading south noted: "If the velocity had been higher, no one would have survived. We had a minute of fear. A pregnant woman had to be evacuated."
Last month, a fire broke out in the Naharia-Tel Aviv train due to a brake malfunction. There were no injuries.
Aviel Magnezi and Meital Yasur-Beit Or contributed to this report
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