A fatal traffic accident near Rivne claimed four lives
In the Rivne region, a passenger train collided with a local minibus that had driven onto a railroad crossing. Four people were killed in the accident, and 11 others sustained injuries of varying severity.
The police have already opened a criminal investigation and are looking into all the circumstances of the tragedy. Law enforcement officials are also considering whether to detain the minibus driver and the crossing guard on duty.
The fatal accident occurred on July 2 near Rivne at a railroad crossing. According to preliminary police reports, a passenger train on the “Dnipro–Kyiv–Chełm” route collided with a “Zdolbuniv–Rivne” minibus that had driven onto the tracks. Police reported that the train engineer applied the emergency brakes but was unable to avoid the collision.
According to preliminary information from the investigation, the minibus was driven by a 42-year-old local resident. It was he who drove onto the crossing before the train approached. Law enforcement officials note that at the time of the accident, the audible and visual warning signals were functioning and had warned of the train’s approach. At the same time, the barrier at the crossing was raised. Four passengers on the minibus were killed as a result of the severe impact.
The victims of the accident were a 72-year-old man, a 54-year-old woman, and two sisters aged 24 and 29. All of them were residents of the Zdolbuniv community. The number of injured has risen to 11. The injured are residents of the Rivne district ranging in age from 11 to 68. They were diagnosed with fractures, lacerations, and other injuries. All were transported to four hospitals in the region.
One of the victims is in intensive care in serious condition. He is unconscious, and his identity is currently being determined. Among those injured are also the minibus driver and a railroad employee who was on duty at the railroad crossing at the time of the accident. Three children were admitted to the Rivne Regional Children’s Hospital—two 13-year-old girls and an 11-year-old girl from the village of Kvasyliv.
In connection with the fatal accident, the police have opened a criminal investigation under two articles of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. Investigators are currently determining all the circumstances of the tragedy. The issue of detaining the minibus driver and the railroad crossing guard is also being considered. Law enforcement officers are continuing to examine the scene, interview witnesses, and gather evidence that will help determine the exact causes of the fatal accident.
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