5 in critical condition... 18 injured in train collision in Denmark
Police confirmed they are currently unable to provide the cause of the incident in a wooded area north of Hillerood.
Train accidents in Denmark
Police said in a midday statement, citing health services, that “eighteen people were injured in the accident. Five of them are in critical condition.”
Local police explained that they received the alert at 6:29 a.m. (4:29 GMT).
Earlier, Anders Dam-Heimdal, head of the medical department at Copenhagen’s emergency services, told a press conference, “Imagine two trains colliding head-on. This causes many injuries, as people are thrown in all directions.”
serious damage
The head-on collision caused extensive damage to the front of the two yellow and gray trains, completely destroying and crushing the driver's cabins.
Windshields and windows were also shattered, according to an AFP journalist at the scene and local media reports.
Neither train nor its locomotive derailed. Police later updated the information, stating that a total of 37 passengers were on board.
All the injured were taken to local hospitals. Rescue teams, including police and ambulance services, completed their work by mid-morning.
Technical investigations
Hillerød municipality has set up an escort and support service for uninjured individuals and their families.
Michael Jørgen Pedersen, the municipality's rescue coordinator, explained to AFP, "Twenty-one people arrived at the center, most of them on the train from the north, heading to work... They were in shock from what happened."
Police are currently conducting a forensic investigation at the scene, and the entire perimeter has been secured.
