Car avoided a more serious crash on Vantaa railway line

The driver of a car that fell onto Vantaa’s Ring Rail Line last Friday escaped with minor injuries, and the vehicle suffered less damage than expected, Yle reported. The car was nevertheless left unroadworthy.

The crash occurred early in the morning between Kivistö and Aviapolis stations, west of Helsinki Airport. Eastern Uusimaa Police said the car left the road before a bridge crossing the railway, went over a rising barrier and rolled down an embankment onto the tracks.

The fall was estimated at two to three metres. Had the car gone off the bridge, the drop would have been at least six to seven metres, likely causing considerably more damage. The outcome could also have been worse if a train had been passing at the time.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation. Police are interviewing the driver and said no witnesses have come forward. The case is being investigated as endangering traffic safety.

Rail services on the Ring Rail Line were suspended after the crash. About 60 passengers were evacuated from a train stopped on the tracks and taken by bus to Tikkurila station. Emergency services removed the damaged car from the railway, after which its owner was responsible for having it taken away from the scene.