Cyclist (15) hit by train on closed level crossing: “Miraculously, he was only slightly injured” (Wervik)

The collision happened around 8.20 am on the Molenstraat level crossing near Wervik station. A 15-year-old student crossed the tracks at the level crossing that was closed at the time. The rear of the bicycle was hit, causing the boy to fall and sustain minor injuries to his head. He was taken to hospital, but has since been able to leave.

Camera images

The facts were captured by a technical camera from Infrabel and were confirmed by Wervik mayor Youro Casier (Vooruit).

“I was informed of the circumstances,” he says. “The cyclist ignored all signals: the bell, the red lights and the closed barriers. He’s put himself in a very dangerous situation. The fact that he is only slightly injured is a blessing in disguise. I hope he recovers quickly and that this can be an important lesson for everyone. We should try to avoid such accidents as much as possible. Age plays no role in this. Every road user has their own responsibility. If you take such a risk, you are putting your life at risk. It still happens too often that closed level crossings are ignored.” (Read more below the photo)

Railway manager Infrabel reports that the level crossing has functioned correctly. “After the accident, the infrastructure was inspected and train traffic could resume at 10.33 am,” said Thomas Baeken, spokesperson for Infrabel.

Not an isolated case

Inquiries from local residents show that the closed level crossing is regularly crossed. “I have been a café owner here for twelve years and have an excellent view of the level crossing from early in the morning until late in the evening,” says Antony Verschaeve (52), manager of nearby café ‘t Lusterke. “That boy crossing the road on Tuesday morning is certainly not an isolated case. That happens here many times a day, cyclists and pedestrians. You would be amazed at the numbers.” (Read more below the photo)

There appears to be an additional problem. “Railway walking also happens very regularly here. Not only to, but also away from the station. Very strange, because a few hundred meters further they arrive at another level crossing… near the police station. And yet they do it! Address them? I think that’s kind of lame and I don’t feel like getting my ass kicked. I talk to my sixteen-year-old daughter about it. And especially when she comes home from school, following this incident. I’ve already seen her friends do this.”

Pvs

Casier also knows about track runners. “There is indeed control, because reports are regularly drawn up. Some time ago, strips were installed at the level crossing and the railway to discourage this.”

The facts were captured by a technical camera from Infrabel and were confirmed by Wervik mayor Youro Casier (Vooruit).

“I was informed of the circumstances,” he says. “The cyclist ignored all signals: the bell, the red lights and the closed barriers. He’s put himself in a very dangerous situation. The fact that he is only slightly injured is a blessing in disguise. I hope he recovers quickly and that this can be an important lesson for everyone. We should try to avoid such accidents as much as possible. Age plays no role in this. Every road user has their own responsibility. If you take such a risk, you are putting your life at risk. It still happens too often that closed level crossings are ignored.”

Railway manager Infrabel reports that the level crossing has functioned correctly. “After the accident, the infrastructure was inspected and train traffic could resume at 10.33 am,” said Thomas Baeken, spokesperson for Infrabel.