June 3rd, 1998: the Eschede train crash

[michael blunck]

Just to remind you:

It´s 10 years ago today that post-war Germany´s most devastating train disaster occured, the crash of ICE 884 "Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen", near the village of Eschede in Lower Saxony. On June 3rd 1998, 101 people died and 88 were injured when, because of a broken wheel tire, the ICE derailed and crashed into a collapsing concrete overpass at a speed of 200 km/h.

eschede1.jpg (58.93 KiB) Viewed 2477 times

Initial reason for the crash was the design, specification and poor maintenance of the newly introduced wheels, which were modified to include a rubber damping ring under the metal wheel rim. This technology was never tested carefully under the stress of high velocities before being introduced into service, although there´ve been serious warnings by engineering institutes.

In contrast to the quick uncovering of the technical circumstances for the crash, the following trial developed into a tragedy of its own, with the DB deploying dozens of experts to invalidate prosecutions, resulting into dismissal of the case after 11 months on condition of a moderate fee being paid.

For the survivors, the crash and its results are still a trauma, even after 10 years. Many of the survivors lost their partners and/or children in the crash, some lost their whole families. And in the end, after the disappointing trial, there was noone to blame.

And also for the rescuers, this was an extraordinary situation never seen before, with such numbers of dead bodies, blood and rubble. And quite a lot of them did never recover from those scenes seen 10 years before, on that sunny day in june at Eschede.

eschede2.jpg (176.77 KiB) Viewed 2476 times

See also:

- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eschede_train_disaster
- http://danger-ahead.railfan.net/reports/eschede/
- http://www.railfaneurope.net/ice/eschede.html

for more information.

regards
Michael

[XeryusTC]

Good thing you remind us of this horrible train crash michael, this surely is something we must never forget.

Fortunately this crash learned us quite a lot of things that make trains nowadays A LOT saver, especially high speed trains.

[doktorhonig]

I remember it like yesterday. Actually I remember it much better than yesterday.

Let's hope that such accidents won't happen again.

[Dave]

Thanks for sharing Michael. Very sad tragedy.

[Kevo00]

Its amazing what can happen when things go wrong.

I hope the lessons have been learned - so often they aren't, and a similar accident happens again.

[beeb375]

Buggering heck, wasn't nice at all, I don't remember it that great since I was only 10, just vaguely remember seeing it on the news, but have seen one of those 'Seconds from Disaster' things since then, I think this is the animation from it:

http://www1.ndr.de/kultur/geschichte/animation2.html

[DeletedUser21]

Wow, 10 years already.

Awfull accident.

[Chrill]

I recall seeing this a few times on Discovery Channel, and the moments before the accident itself. Huge tragedy and I am certain it will never be forgotten. I believe that, like after Ayrton Senna's 1994 death, safety has been increased due to this. It's sad that something has to happen before people notice problems, though. Thanks for sharing