20 Killed in Head-On Belgian Train Crash

Wrong-way driver ignored repeated warnings
By Mary Papenfuss,  Newser Staff
Posted Feb 15, 2010 3:49 AM CST
20 Killed in Head-On Belgian Train Crash
The mangled wreckage of two crashed Belgian trains lie twisted off the tracks as rescuers scramble to save the injured.   (AP)

At least 20 people were killed at rush hour today in Belgium when two commuter trains crashed head on south of Brussels. Both train drivers and conductors were among the dead. One mangled train perched atop the other as rescuers used cranes to get to dozens of passengers and some 12 ambulances were packed with the injured, reports the Daily Mail.

The driver of one of the trains, which was empty, reportedly drove the wrong way down the track despite repeated warnings until he smashed into a commuter train with some 80 passengers aboard. "We tried as a last resort to cut off the power, but unfortunately it was done too late," said a train spokeswoman.
(More rush hour stories.)

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