SZCZEKOCINY — 2012 · Major Tragedy
The Szczekociny Train Collision
On the evening of 3 March 2012 two passenger trains collided head-on on the same track at Chałupki, near Szczekociny. Sixteen people were killed and more than 60 seriously injured. According to the investigation, after a set of points failed to respond, the dispatcher on duty used a substitute signal to route a train onto the opposite track, along which another train was approaching. The official inquiry attributed the crash to human errors by dispatchers and drivers. It was Poland's deadliest rail accident in decades.
- Date
- 2012
- Place
- Silesia, Poland, Szczekociny, PL
- Category
- Major Tragedy
- Case Status
- Closed
- Coordinates
- 50.6420, 19.8170 ↗
Timeline of Events
- 3 March 2012Two passenger trains collided head-on near Chałupki.
- 4 March 2012Rescue work ended; the death toll was put at 16.
- March 2012Two dispatchers were detained.
- Following monthsThe official report attributed the crash to human error in the signalling process.
Sources
- Wikipedia — Szczekociny rail crash en.wikipedia.org ↗
- Arkansas Democrat-Gazette — Train collision kills 16 in Poland arkansasonline.com ↗
- Polish Rail — Head on collision near Szczekociny polishrail.wordpress.com ↗
- Wikipedia
- Arkansas Democrat-Gazette (AP)
- Polish Rail
Source grade A: several independent sources, at least one an official record or reference work. If you spot a mistake or something missing, report it with "Suggest a correction" in the app.
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🕯️ This record was prepared with respect, in memory of those who lost their lives.