In a first testimony, the driver of the private car hit by a train north of Herzliya told Ynet that another train, apparently a truck, hit him from behind and pushed him onto the railroad tracks.
The man, in his 30's, told Ynet that once he was on the tracks he noticed the train speeding toward him.
"The train suddenly appeared. I have no idea how I managed to open the door and escape from the car," he recounted.
He stood at the scene of the accident in a state of shock, looking at the ruins around his car, which was barely recognizable anymore. He was then taken into a police interrogation.
And what was seen on the opposite side? The train engine driver, who arrived at the Laniado Hospital in Netanya, said that he saw an Isuzu car abandoned on the track. Upon noticing the vehicle, he braked and activated the siren, but the distance was too short. Only after the collision, the train overturned and some of the cars derailed.
Passengers who were inside the train cars recounted the events that took place following the collision.
Daniel, 19, told Ynet: "We were on our way from Tel Aviv to Akko. I was pondering whether to sit in the front car or in the bag. I eventually turned left and sat down. That was apparently what saved my life. Near Netanya we heard a huge blast, and the car began to sway, like a plane in the air. We didn’t understand what was happening, and then the car began to overturn. Pieces of glass, stones and sand flew at us. Everything was covered with dust. I held tight to my seat until the car stopped."
Train caught between trees (Photo: Ofer Amram)
"When the car overturned, people began screaming in horror. Half of the people were anxious and panicked, while the other half tried to clam them down. I told them: Look, we're still alive, we shall overcome. And then we began emerging from the car through the windows, helping each other," he said.
"When I got out and saw the car hanging half of it on the locomotive and the other half between the trees – it was a shocking and terrifying sight. I can't understand who a train overturns like that. Now, when I travel by train, I will only sit on the back car," Daniel said, and rushed to call his girlfriend to report that he is okay.
Luckily, train not crowded
"I sat in the car and felt a massive jolt and then the train derailed," Simona, one of the passengers, told Ynet.
"A window was broken and we climbed outside. In the background we heard ambulances approaching, as well as shouts and screams. When we were outside we saw that we had turned over," she said.
According to Simona, "the train was not quite full at the time of the clash."
Another passenger, David, told Ynet: "I could the first cars overturned. There are people trapped inside and gas is leaking from the train. We were instructed to stay away from the train. Rescue teams are pulling the injured one by one from the cars."
Vered Luvitch contributed to the report