Danes ban truck trailers on trains after fatal accident

COPENHAGEN – Denmark has banned truck trailers on trains following a deadly accident last week in which a high-speed passenger train struck cargo that had fallen off a freight train coming from the opposite direction.

The Danish Transport, Construction and Housing Authority also said it is imposing stricter conditions for freight transport over the Storebaelt rail link, a system connecting islands in the centre of Denmark, “under special weather conditions” and banning the crossing of freight trains during storms.

The Jan. 2 accident that saw eight people killed and 16 injured occurred on a bridge during strong winds.

The cause of the crash, involving a freight train transporting semi-trailers filled with beer crates, is still under investigation.

The agency said Tuesday’s decision came after a test showed some semi-trailers were not securely locked on the flatcars of freight trains.

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