ARCHIVED - Four dead in collision between a train and vehicle on level crossing in Novelda (Alicante)
The vehicle was hit by the Barcelona-Lorca service early on Friday evening
Four occupants of a vehicle died early on Friday evening after their vehicle was hit by an Intercity train at the level crossing of Novelda station in the Alicante province of the Valencia region.
The accident occurred at around 5:15 pm at the Camí de Castellà level crossing.
Although little is known about the circumstances of the crash, the level crossing does have barriers, but it appears that the vehicle had passed onto the crossing before the barriers came down and was on the track as the train came through.
Muy grave accidente de trafico en Novelda entre el tren intercity de Barcelona y un vehículo en el paso a nivel. Lamentamos los 4 fallecimientos de los integrantes del vehículo. Nuestro pésame a familiares y amigos DEP#bomberos #cpba #enaccion pic.twitter.com/7d2LhQZxOM
— Consorcio Bomberos Alicante (@BomberosDipuALC) July 2, 2021
The Centre for Information and Emergency Coordination (CICU) immediately despatched health personnel, firefighters and the Guardia Civíl to the site of the accident, but could do nothing on arrival other than confirm the death on impact of the four occupants of the vehicle; three females and one male.
Wreckage from the vehicle was dragged for a kilometre along the track before the train came to a halt.
The Basic Life Support (BLS) team assisted one female passenger travelling on the train who required medical assistance due to a panic attack and was treated 'in situ', according to the CICU but there were no further injuries on board the train.
Rail traffic in the area has been interrupted and the Intercity remains at Novelda. Another train on the same track was stopped in Monforte del Cid (Alicante) and a third between Alicante and Barcelona remained at its point of origin to enable firemen to clear the wreckage, for Adif personnel to inspect the line and crossing system and for investigators to carry out preliminary inspections ro ascertain the causes of the accident.
Image and video: Consorcio Provincial de Bomberos de Alicante