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Germany Sees Spate of Holiday Road and Rail Crashes as One Dies and Several Are Injured

Authorities are investigating causes from icy roads to suspected driver misconduct in the Düsseldorf tram derailment.

Overview

  • In Leipzig, police say a 26-year-old Audi driver likely drove too fast on an icy surface, collided with a VW, hit a traffic light and injured a waiting cyclist, and he now faces probes for endangering traffic and negligent injury.
  • A city tram in Hannover struck an Audi and dragged it several meters, trapping three occupants who were freed by firefighters before being taken to hospital with minor injuries; no passengers were on the tram.
  • In Essen, a woman suffered life-threatening injuries after being pinned between a reversing car and a building, with firefighters reporting resuscitation efforts and an extended road closure for the investigation.
  • Autobahn police in Gelsenkirchen stopped a 52-year-old driver after witness calls, recorded a breath test of over five per mille, seized her license, and ordered a blood draw as part of a criminal case for drunk driving.
  • On the B93 near Altenburg, a 66-year-old BMW driver died after crossing into oncoming traffic and hitting a transporter, with relatives reporting he had a health problem immediately before the crash, according to police.