Deadly Crossing Crash in Poznan: Freight Train Hits Delivery Truck at Railway Crossing, One Dead

Poznań, Poland— A commercial freight train collided with a delivery truck at a railway crossing in Poznań on October 20, killing the truck driver after his vehicle was struck while crossing the tracks.

The accident occurred at around 10:40 a.m. at a guarded crossing on the outskirts of the city, on the Poznań-Krzyż railway line. The truck, delivering appliances to a warehouse, was crossing when the barriers were reportedly lowering. The freight train, carrying containers from Szczecin to Wrocław, was traveling at about 80 kilometers per hour. It hit the truck's trailer, dragging it 50 meters.

The driver, a 42-year-old man from Greater Poland, died at the scene. His cabin was crushed. Firefighters had to cut open the wreckage to recover his body. No one on the train was injured. The train's locomotive suffered front damage and derailed slightly. Two wagons left the tracks but did not overturn.

Witnesses said the crossing signals were working, but the truck driver may have tried to beat the barrier. One witness who was waiting in a car behind said, "The barriers were going down. He accelerated. He thought he could make it. The train was already there." Police are investigating whether the truck driver ignored signals or whether there was a technical failure.

Railway crossings are a major safety issue in Poland. Despite modernization, more than 40 percent of crossings have only half-barriers or are unguarded. The Office of Rail Transport said there were 120 crossing accidents last year, with 25 fatalities. Most involve truck drivers attempting to cross despite warnings.

Traffic was blocked for hours. Trains on the line were delayed or rerouted via an alternative route through Piła. Replacement buses were provided for regional passengers. The crossing was closed while investigators from the State Commission on Railway Accident Investigation examined the signals, barriers, and train's black box.

PKP Polskie Linie Kolejowe, the infrastructure manager, said it will review safety at the crossing. The company said it plans to replace the half-barriers with full barriers and install additional warning lights. Local residents have long complained that the crossing is dangerous, with limited visibility due to nearby buildings.

The driver's family has been notified. The freight train remains at the site pending removal. The investigation continues.