On Thursday, a train on its way from Trondheim to Bodø derailed between Bjerka and Mo i Rana. The police confirmed the same day that the train driver died in the accident. Four people were taken to hospital, but none of them were critically injured. The train, which derailed down towards the E6, now means that both the road and the Nordlandsbanen are closed until further notice. – Among other things, assessments must be made to make sure that the train set does not crash down on the E6, says chief of staff at the police in Nordland, Bent Are Eilertsen. Many actors will start work in the area from Friday, and it may take several days before both the road and railway are open again. The accident on the Nordlandsbanen means that the road is closed until further notice. Photo: Frank Nygård / news New assessment on Friday afternoon According to section leader at the Swedish Traffic Agency, Siril Veiåker Nilsen, there are a number of conditions that must be taken into account and evaluated before anything is opened. – A new assessment is expected on Friday afternoon. The National Accident Investigation Board, Bane Nor and the police are already on site to contribute with assessments, as well as other agencies, says Nilsen. A passenger train has derailed between Finneidfjord and Bjerka on the Nordlandsbanen. Photo: Thomas Sætveit Jensen/TV Clip A passenger train has derailed between Finneidfjord and Bjerka on the Nordlandsbanen. Photo: Thomas Sætveit Jensen/TV Clip A passenger train has derailed between Finneidfjord and Bjerka on the Nordlandsbanen. Photo: Thomas Sætveit Jensen/TV Clip A passenger train has derailed between Finneidfjord and Bjerka on the Nordlandsbanen. Photo: Thomas Sætveit Jensen/TV Klipp – Considerable time is needed on site for those with roles like this, therefore E6 will be closed for a while, she explains and adds: – The owner of the road respects that assessments are required from several actors. Therefore, there will be consequences for normal traffic. While the road is closed, there are two options for traffic: The ferry Nesna – Levang on Fylkesvei 17. Here there will probably be a lot of traffic and Nilsen asks those who can wait to wait with the journey. E12 and national highway 73 via Umbukta, Sweden and Hattfjelldal. Harry Korslund in Bane Nor says it is uncertain how long Nordlandsbanen will remain closed, and that they are still working to get an overview of the total extent of damage. – We have to have the train removed to get an overview of the damage. They will also contribute to the work of finding out what may have happened to the train. – As it looks at the moment, there has been a landslide that has fallen into the track. That there is a connection between the landslide and the derailment seems to be obvious. Want to find out what has happened Another important actor in the work after an accident like this is the Accident Investigation Board. Department director Ida Grøndahl says their team will work to get a proper overview of the accident site before carrying out thorough investigations. – As we have been told, it is both smooth and rugged. We have to make sure that the locomotive is stable before we can start our investigations. The police also state that assessments must be made to ensure that the train set does not crash down on the E6. There is also a lot of diesel spillage in the area and bilges have been laid out in the fjord. When everything is secured, the Accident Investigation Board will check the locomotive and wagons both externally and internally. – Our goal is to arrive at a sequence of events. That is always the goal. Large stones lie in the track. Photo: Ingvart Strand Mølster She emphasizes that they must finish their work before things can be removed, but that it is their practice that parts can be cleaned as they are finished. The police also state that no criminal activity is suspected, but the police will start an ordinary investigation into the accident. Korslund in Bane Nor says that they already have crews and machines on their way to remove the train set. That too will be demanding and take time. – It must take place in a safe and secure manner. Then it remains to be seen how long it will take before Nordlandsbanen can open again, but we probably have to count on two or three days. Published 25/10/2024, at 05.24
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