A possibly heavily intoxicated train driver was temporarily detained by police after behaving unusually and a regional train stopped on an open track in Münsterland. A breath alcohol test showed a level of 2.67 per mille, federal police said. Around 250 RE 6 train passengers were not injured. Firefighters helped evacuate a regional train.
According to federal police, the 53-year-old train driver apparently stopped his train on an open road Sunday afternoon for no reason. Previously there had been irregularities in closing the door. In addition, the train driver was said to have passed the Rheda-Wiedenbrück station on the open track before stopping, instead of stopping as planned. According to federal police, a train officer noticed a clear odor of alcohol, prevented the train from continuing and alerted the train’s emergency control center.
Instead, the National Express company stated that after an abnormality in the service, customer service representatives stepped in and ensured the train stopped safely on the open track between Rheda-Wiedenbrück and Oelde. Approximately 250 passengers were guided through evacuation by customer service officers trained in emergencies and transferred unharmed by firefighters to other trains. “The quick action of our train staff and coordinated emergency processes have made an important contribution to ensuring passenger safety at all times.”
Alcohol is actually prohibited
In its statement, National Express spoke about a very regrettable individual case. Local rail passenger transportation is subject to strict safety regulations, including an absolute ban on alcohol and drugs. “Drivers of traction vehicles also undergo mandatory medical and psychological examinations,” the company said. Ongoing investigations will be fully supported. National Express thanked the fire brigade and police for their support during the evacuation.
As further announced by the federal police, the operation lasted nearly three hours and caused significant disruption to rail traffic. Federal police forces detained the driver and took him to the police station in Rheda-Wiedenbrück.
After the breath alcohol test, a blood test was ordered for the driver. Because the man showed signs of an extraordinary psychological situation, he was admitted to a specialist clinic. He is being investigated for endangering train traffic.
