Bern, Switzerland— A multi-car collision on the A1 Autobahn near Bern killed two drivers and injured five others on October 20, 2026, shutting down the country's busiest highway corridor for nearly six hours.
The crash happened around 7:20 a.m. on the eastbound lanes near the Wankdorf interchange, during heavy commuter traffic. Bern cantonal police said four cars and one delivery van were involved. Initial reconstruction suggests a sedan braked hard due to spray and was hit from behind, triggering a chain reaction.
One driver, a 42-year-old man, died inside his vehicle. A second, a 29-year-old woman, was ejected from her car and died on the roadway despite immediate resuscitation attempts. The five injured were taken to Inselspital in Bern. Two are in serious condition.
Firefighters had to cut open two cars to free trapped occupants. Fuel and oil spilled across three lanes. The van, carrying building materials, jackknifed and blocked the emergency lane.
"We had victims spread over 150 meters. Visibility was poor and the road was slick," a Bern police spokesman said. "The impact forces were enormous. Several vehicles are total losses."
The A1 was closed in both directions for two hours, then partially reopened. Tailbacks stretched 12 kilometers. Police used a drone to map the scene and collect evidence for the prosecutor.
Witnesses said traffic had suddenly slowed in a section known for aquaplaning. One driver told Blick he saw brake lights flash, then heard repeated bangs. "It sounded like explosions."
Investigators will examine whether speed and following distance played a role. A routine toxicology screen was ordered. The prosecutor's office has opened an investigation into negligent homicide.
Traffic returned to normal by early afternoon. The wrecked vehicles were towed to a secure yard for technical inspection.
Published by Banx Network. This article is part of the Banx decentralized media programme, powered by the BXE token on the XRP Ledger.
