The hitchhiker had to stop the train, but that didn't happen.
Državni tajnik u Ministarstvu mora, prometa i infrastrukture Žarko Tušek, u intervjuu za središnji Dnevnik HTV-a, komentarisao je nedavne prometne incidente na hrvatskim željeznicama. Nakon incidenta kod Škrljeva, gde je vlak prošao kroz crveno svjetlo, Tušek je objasnio da je autostop sustav bio aktiviran, što je spriječilo moguću tragediju. Međutim, u jučerašnjem sudaru vlakova, u kojem je ozlijeđeno 25 osoba, autostop sustav nije odradio svoju zadaću. Tušek je napomenuo da se trenutno provode tri paralelne istrage, uključujući istraživanje Agencije za istraživanje nesreća u željezničkom prometu. Napomenuo je da postoji nekoliko indikacija o uzrocima nesreće, ali ih ne može detaljnije objasniti dok istraga ne završi. Također je istaknuo da autostop sustav može biti isključen, ali samo prema strogo propisanim pravilima. Završio je izjavom da hrvatska željeznica ostaje sigurna i funkcionalna.
In two separate incidents within a span of less than 24 hours, safety systems on Croatian railways faced scrutiny after both events resulted in injuries. On August 7, a collision between a freight train operated by HŽ Carga and a passenger train run by HŽ Putničkog prijevoza near Škrinjar left 25 people injured. The following day, another incident occurred at Škrljev, where a freight train passed through a red signal despite automated stop mechanisms being activated. These events have prompted officials to address concerns over railway safety protocols. The Ministry of Sea, Transport and Infrastructure’s state secretary Žarko Tušek addressed these issues during an interview with the central Dnevnik HTV. He confirmed that the automatic stop system, known as “autostop,” successfully halted a freight train at the Škrljev incident. According to Tušek, the system responded appropriately, triggering emergency power shutdowns to prevent further collisions on the track. However, he acknowledged that the autostop system failed to activate during the previous day's collision, allowing the freight train to pass through a red light. Tušek emphasized that while such incidents are rare, they can occur even on modern rail networks. He noted that the automatic stop system requires coordination with barriers to ensure trains halt upon encountering a red signal. Despite this, he stated that the system did not function correctly in the recent collision. He explained that train operators can disable the autostop system, but only under strict procedural guidelines. This suggests that human error or mismanagement could play a role in such failures. Regarding the cause of the Škrinjar collision, Tušek expressed condolences for the victims and described ongoing investigations. Three parallel inquiries are currently underway: one led by the State Railways Accident Investigation Agency, another by police, and a third by internal commissions from HŽ Carga, HŽ Infrastructure, and HŽ Putničkog prijevoza. Tušek declined to comment on specific findings until the investigations conclude, citing the need for confidentiality during active probes. Premier Andrej Plenković, meanwhile, reiterated that all relevant authorities were actively involved in addressing the situation. He stated that the immediate priority was ensuring the health and safety of those affected, noting that no fatalities had been reported. While he refrained from speculating on the causes of the accident, he confirmed that severely injured passengers and train drivers had been transported to Zagreb hospitals, with some receiving treatment locally. Helicopter services and emergency medical teams were deployed swiftly to assist. At the site of the Škrinjar crash, six seriously injured individuals were taken to the Bjelovar General Hospital, where one patient remained in intensive care. Others received initial treatment, with some awaiting further scans. The hospital administrator reported that none of the patients were in critical condition, though several required additional attention. Emergency services, including police and fire departments, were present at the scene, and the railway line between Sveti Ivan Žabno and Gradec was temporarily closed to traffic. Tušek also commented on potential political consequences, stating that if responsibility for the incidents is established, appropriate measures would follow. He stressed that current evidence points to individual errors rather than systemic failures, suggesting that the focus remains on identifying specific lapses in procedure. He added that Croatia is undergoing a major investment phase, with nearly two billion euros allocated to infrastructure projects, indicating a commitment to improving rail safety and efficiency. As investigations continue, the government has pledged transparency and accountability, acknowledging the gravity of the situations while reaffirming confidence in the overall safety and functionality of the national railway network. The outcomes of these inquiries will likely shape future policy decisions and operational reforms aimed at preventing similar incidents.
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