Freight train derails near Wierchomla, six empty wagons plunge into Poprad River; recovery enters second day
A freight train carrying empty wagons derailed on Friday afternoon near Wierchomla in southern Poland, sending six cars off the tracks and some into the Poprad River. No one was injured, and the driver tested negative for alcohol and drugs.
Derailment on line 96
A freight train travelling from Muszyna to Kędzierzyn-Koźle derailed on Friday, 17 July 2026, at 15:35 on the Wierchomla–Piwniczna section of railway line 96. Six empty wagons left the tracks, and some of them slid into the Poprad River. No one was hurt. A resident of nearby Kąty, Anna, described the moment to Gazeta Wyborcza.
Suddenly we heard a powerful whistle. A moment later a cloud of dust appeared above the passing train, and then there was a bang and a splash.
Immediate response and overnight work
Emergency crews and PKP Polskie Linie Kolejowe (PKP PLK) services arrived quickly. Overnight, a specialist crane set up beside the line lifted two derailed wagons back onto the tracks at 1:15. Another 17 wagons that had been part of the consist were moved to a siding in Nowy Sącz, where the State Commission for Railway Accident Investigation will inspect them. A specialist rescue vehicle also reached the site from the Muszyna side to prepare the remaining wagons for removal.
Recovery progress on Saturday
By 16:00 on Saturday, 18 July, crews had removed a further seven wagons from the track. Work to re-rail the rest continues. Track repair has begun, but the infrastructure was damaged in at least two places. PKP PLK stated that rebuilding the track is a prerequisite for retrieving the wagons still lying in the Poprad. A heavy-duty crane is already on site for that operation.
Our goal is to restore full functionality of the railway line as quickly and safely as possible, while maintaining the highest safety standards.
- Six empty wagons derail on the Wierchomla–Piwniczna section; some fall into the Poprad River.
- Specialist crane lifts two derailed wagons back onto the tracks.
- 17 wagons moved to a siding in Nowy Sącz for inspection by the State Commission.
- Specialist rescue vehicle arrives from Muszyna to prepare remaining wagons for removal.
- Seven more wagons removed from the track; track repair begins.
Investigation and driver status
The State Commission for Railway Accident Investigation is working at the scene to determine the cause. PKP Cargo spokesperson Julita Sołtysiak confirmed that the driver was tested and found to be sober, with no drugs detected in his system.
The driver was tested, which showed he was sober and no drugs were detected in his system.
Passenger impact
Line 96 remains closed between Nowy Sącz and Krynica-Zdrój. Replacement bus services have been introduced for POLREGIO and PKP Intercity passengers. Initial estimates suggest the disruption and recovery work will last at least another day, and possibly several days, before normal rail traffic can resume.
