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'Train crash might have been an accident'

Published: 17 Jan 13 15:34 CET | Print version
Online: http://www.thelocal.se/45670/20130117/

As sightseers flocked to the train that remains lodged inside a Stockholm house after a cleaning lady crashed it on Tuesday, officials have backed down and admitted the incident may indeed have been an accident.

Two days after a train ploughed into a house in the wealthy Stockholm suburb of Saltsjöbaden, the scene has become a popular destination for onlookers eager to catch an in-person glimpse of the unusual spectacle.

Meanwhile, police and officials are still none the wiser as to why a 22-year-old cleaning lady was driving the train in the first place.

“It might have been an accident,” Tomas Hedenius, a spokesman for the train’s operator Arriva, told The Local.

Hedenius stated soon after the incident that the cleaner “for unknown reasons stole the train”, according to the Aftonbladet newspaper, but by Thursday had changed track.

“We still don’t know for sure and we’re investigating, and waiting for the police to finish their investigation,” he told The Local.

Related gallery: The Local's images from the scene of the crash

A report in the Aftonbladet newspaper citing anonymous sources said police are working on the theory that the cleaner accidentally tripped a driver safety device when folding down the driver's seat as she was leaving the cabin.

However, police spokesman Lars Byström refused to confirm the theory, saying only that the investigation is ongoing and that the cleaner still remains suspected of a crime, with police hoping to be able to speak with her on Thursday.

An emergency team has so far managed to take away the rear two carriages of the train, but has struggled to remove the remaining two, one of which is firmly inside the kitchen of one of the flats in the small block of apartments.

“We’re working with engineers and calculating how to extract the other two carriages without damaging the house any more. We are stabilizing both the house and the carriages, and we estimate the train will be removed by mid-next week,” Hedenius said.

With only a thin tape surrounding the scene, Stockholmers are making the trip out to the end of the train line in droves to see the event for themselves.

“You’ve heard of a flying carpet – well here’s the flying train,” the driver of the replacement bus told passengers as the vehicle pulled up at the site.

And it’s not only the driver who is excited. Annika Enander, who runs the Stationshuset coffee shop directly next to the crash site, said she’s never seen so many people in the area.

“People are astonished. No one can believe their eyes. But it’s got everyone talking. Everyone has a theory,” she told The Local.

“It’s tragic, but at the same time, the whole thing is amazing. It’s like a spaceship has landed here.”

RELATED PHOTO GALLERY: More images from the scene of the crash

Meanwhile, Dutch students Pepijn and Valentijn were also gobsmacked by the incident.

“It’s crazy, I’ve never seen a train in a house,” Pepijn said.

“It’s really lucky that no one was hurt,” his friend added.

Back at Arriva, spokesman Hedenius admitted that the incident was most likely a one-of-a-kind event.

“It’s a spectacular accident and I’m just relieved that it didn’t cause any further damage, and that no one was killed,” he told The Local.

“I’ve never seen anything like it before and I hope I won’t again.”

Oliver Gee
Follow Oliver on Twitter here

What do you think? Leave your comment below.

Your comments about this article:

The comments below have not been moderated in advance and are not produced by The Local unless clearly stated. Readers are responsible for the content of their own comments. Comments that breach our terms and conditions will be removed.

16:34 January 17, 2013 by Mo
bit insensitive to say no one was hurt when the cleaner is unconscious in hospital
17:07 January 17, 2013 by Hamsterdam
"Relieved that no one was killed" says the spokeperson.

I guess crippled is acceptable?

Overall the comedy goes on. ( no offense to the hospitalised cleaner.
18:26 January 17, 2013 by EmployedProfessional
Why is it that Sweden never gets it until they really GET IT!!!

The very thought that there is no security or adequate safety systems that could have prevented this tragety is unthinkable!

No ATM(look it up) system on the line,really?

This is 2013,there is simply no acceptable excuse for such dagis level neglegance!
20:18 January 17, 2013 by RobinHood
Ooops. This might turn out to be rather expensive for The Local, who have been calling her a thief all week.
01:12 January 18, 2013 by jostein
My sympathy to her if it was an accident. If not, awe!
09:38 January 18, 2013 by Åskar
@EmployedProfessional

I don't have to look up what an ATM is as I already know. The one closest to my office is just outside the main entrance.

I also know what an Automatic Train Control system is.
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