One dead after freight train wagons plunge from Munich bridge onto street
Two freight trains collided during shunting in Munich's Milbertshofen district early Saturday, sending two empty wagons about five metres onto Schleißheimer Strasse and killing a man found beneath the wreckage.
Collision and fall
Around 1:40 am on Saturday, two freight trains collided during shunting on a railway bridge over Schleißheimer Strasse in Munich's Milbertshofen district. The impact derailed one train, causing two empty wagons to tumble roughly five metres from the bridge. One man was discovered beneath the debris with fatal injuries; no other casualties were reported. A city bus passing below was struck by falling parts, sustaining light damage. The driver was unharmed and no passengers were aboard. Seven parked cars were also lightly damaged.
Rescue and recovery
Roughly 60 emergency personnel including firefighters, paramedics and police secured the scene. By midday, a heavy crane had placed one wagon onto the street; crews planned to lift the second back onto the bridge. Recovery work is expected to last through Sunday.
Unbelievable that two trains collide and fall from a bridge.
- Two freight trains collide during shunting on North Ring bridge; two wagons fall onto Schleißheimer Strasse.
- Recovery: crane lowers first wagon onto street; second to be lifted back onto bridge.
- Recovery expected to continue through Sunday.
Cause under investigation
Police and railway experts are working to determine how the two freight trains ended up on the same track during shunting. The wagons were empty and carried no hazardous materials; authorities said there is no danger to the public. The line is used exclusively by freight services, so no passenger trains were affected.
Background: North Ring
The DB-Nordring is a vital freight corridor for Bavaria's economy and is slated for expanded use, including potential S-Bahn passenger services in the future. The accident occurred on a section that carries only goods traffic. Damage estimates to infrastructure and vehicles are not yet available.
