On the evening of 8/3, the Quang Ngai Provincial Police Investigation Department announced the initiation of criminal proceedings for "violation of road traffic regulations," under clause one, Article 260 of the Criminal Code. This action is related to a tractor-trailer driver "deliberately bypassing the barrier" after it had been lowered, causing the vehicle to split in half, damaging the train engine, and injuring the driver.

The tractor-trailer's front section was thrown clear of the trailer, landing beside the railway. Photo: Pham Linh

At approximately 8:25 PM on 6/3, Pham Van Tuong, 57 years old, residing in Kien An ward, Hai Phong, was driving a tractor-trailer with a trailer (which had temporary license plates). He was traveling on provincial road 628 in a west-to-east direction, from Cho Chua to the former Nghia Phuong.

According to the investigation results, upon reaching the intersection with the North-South railway line in An Dai 3 village, Ve Giang commune, driver Tuong drove past the barrier after it had been lowered.

Security camera footage revealed that after passing the first barrier, the tractor-trailer stopped in the middle of the railway tracks. At this moment, passenger train SE8, traveling from Ho Chi Minh City (TP HCM) to Hanoi (driven by Ngo Phuoc Bang from Hue), was approaching. Tuong then removed the second barrier and climbed into the cabin, but before he could drive, the SE8 train struck the vehicle.

The accident severely damaged the SE8 train engine, and the crossing control system was completely burned. The tractor-trailer's front section and the trailer split in half. Tuong sustained injuries.

The railway industry subsequently dispatched vehicles to tow the SE8 train to Quang Ngai Station for an engine replacement, allowing passengers to continue their journey.

Pham Linh