In brief
Two trains collided at a level crossing in North Zealand, Denmark, injuring four individuals critically and sending thirteen others to local hospitals. The accident has prompted investigations into the safety measures in place on the line linking Hillerød and Kagerup.
Two trains have collided head-on on a level crossing north-west of Copenhagen, leaving four people critically hurt and 13 others needing hospital treatment, officials say.
The trains were travelling on a line linking the towns of Hillerød and Kagerup in the North Zealand area of north-east Denmark.
Tim Ole Simonsen of the Greater Copenhagen fire department was unable to say what led to the crash but told Danish TV that all the injured had been taken to hospital by air or by ambulance.
Local mayor Trine Egetved said she was deeply shaken by the accident.
Public broadcaster DR showed images of two yellow and grey trains, both with visible damage to the front, facing each other in a wooded area.
Frederiksborg Fire and Rescue said they had been alerted to the accident around 06:30 local time (05:30 BST) on Thursday.
Egetved, who is the mayor of the Gribskov municipality, mentioned that those with critical injuries had been flown to the National Hospital in Copenhagen.
The local track is commonly used by many Gribskov residents, workers, and students.
Rail accidents are rare in Denmark, and one expert suggested that one of the train drivers might have ended up on the wrong line after overriding a stop signal as the train departed a local station. The Gribskov line is not believed to have been upgraded with an automated safety system.
Trine Egetved expressed her shock regarding the head-on collision, stating, We must ensure this never happens again.
