The Prague Post Online: News: Two charged in Studénka train crash

December 1st, 2008

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Two charged in Studénka train crash

Safety breaches blamed in bridge collapse that killed 7, injured 63

By Ondřej Bouda
Staff Writer, The Prague Post
August 20th, 2008 issue

ČTK

The accident occurred Aug. 8 when a bridge under construction fell on an Kraków-Prague express train.

Following one of the largest and most spectacular train crashes in the history of the Czech Republic, an investigation is beginning to provide answers.

The Aug. 8 accident in Studénka, near Ostrava, north Moravia, killed seven people and injured 63 when a bridge under reconstruction fell in front of an international express train traveling from Kraków to Prague. Police charged two construction engineers Aug. 15 with endangering public safety. They face up to 10 years in prison. “We are convinced that engineers on the spot knew about the possible safety risks at least two days in advance,” said Jiří Vícha, who headed the investigative team.

The two accused engineers, who worked for subcontractor Bögl & Krýsl, have been detained, questioned and charged over the accident and released. Police say they were aware of a structural weakness in a metal support. “One of the trolleys used for moving the bridge was bent as early as Aug. 6, according to photographs provided by local citizens. Instead of replacing it and taking appropriate safety measures, workers only welded an extra support and continued with the reconstruction,” Vícha said.

Vícha dismissed all claims that engineers were unaware of the defect. “The accused took pictures of the bent trolley and sent them to the prime contractor [ODS – Dopravní stavby Ostrava]. That means that everyone involved knew about the safety risk yet failed to take any action,” Vícha said. He also said that because others knew about the safety risks more people could be charged.

The bridge had been under reconstruction since April. The prime contractor construction company ODS – Dopravní stavby Ostrava (ODS–DSO), was shocked by the accident. “I want to offer my sympathies to all the victims and their families. We wish to diminish their loss by paying compensation even though we are aware that no amount of money can return their loved ones,” said Tomáš Vítek, general director of the company.

Immediately after the accident, police investigators said that the construction companies involved were probably responsible for the tragic loss of life; ODS–DSO, however, denied any wrongdoing. “We are cooperating fully with police investigators and hope the culprits will be identified as swiftly as possible,” said spokesman Dan Šabík. “According to our own quick investigation, employees of a subcontractor were conducting some preliminary work for sliding the bridge into place later in the day. We are convinced that all safety requirements were met,” Šabík said.

However, Czech Railways has already uncovered at least one safety breach. The construction companies failed to inform Czech Railways that work would be taking place Aug. 8. Standard procedure for work on or around the tracks calls for speed limits to be introduced, traffic to be stopped, or alternate routes or means of transport to be used. “As far as we knew, no construction was scheduled that day. Had we known, we would have decreased the maximum speed to 30 kilometers an hour so the train could have braked in time, or we would have stopped services completely and taken passengers by bus,” said Czech Railways spokesman Ondřej Kubala. He pointed out that, in the past, all cooperation worked faultlessly and that closures were always agreed upon in advance.

Paying compensation

Even though Czech Railways denies any wrongdoing, officials also promise to pay compensation to all victims’ families and to cover survivors’ medical expenses. “It is a great loss for us, and we all share a deep sense of remorse over this tragic accident. We feel responsible for our customers and will do our best to provide everything we can for those affected,” Kubala said. Closest relatives of victims are to receive 240,000 Kč ($15,000), and others will be allotted 175,000 Kč. “These are limits set by law and we cannot give out more, but by accepting them people do not lose the right to fight for more compensation in court,” Kubala explained. Bills for medical care could reach millions as several patients had to have limbs amputated and many will require psychiatric care for months to come.

There is no official total cost for the accident yet, as repairs are still under way and many patients are still in hospital care, but the amount could easily top half a billion crowns. Damages to the track are expected to cost some 176 million Kč, while the train will have to be replaced for around 300 Kč million. “The engine and several cars that were completely destroyed in the accident had recently been refurbished to provide greater comfort and allow higher traveling speeds. We now will have to buy new ones,” Kubala said.

As tragic and as expensive as the accident was, it could have been much worse if it wasn’t for one man who did his job properly. The train driver, Jiří Šindelář, became the hero of the day when he managed to pull the emergency brake as soon as he saw the collapsing bridge before diving for safety inside the engine room. According to black-box data, the train slowed from 134 kilometers per hour to just 90 in a space of 452 meters. “His prompt reaction saved many lives. He did not panic and did exactly the right thing. Without him, many more lives would have been lost,” Kubala said.

Ondřej Bouda can be reached at obouda@praguepost.com

Reader's comments:

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[13:49 22/08/2008] : In the UK the system is simple. The Railways control any schedule of work. Unless it is an emergency all work is organised 12 months in advance. This is to allow any adjustments to timetables to be made in good time. Such a venture as either the rebuilding or replacing of a Bridge would be known well in advance. Added to which the Railway engineers would have to see that all structural checks, even for temporary works, had been made and would be safe and comply with current regulations.

Food for thought.

Regards

Phil ellis

Phil Ellis
Manchester, England

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