Dramatic CCTV footage has captured the moment a high-speed train demolished a van at a Polish level crossing, with both the driver and train passengers remarkably escaping without injury.
The collision occurred on Wednesday morning in Wola Filipowska, a village near Krakow, when an Opel delivery van attempted to cross railway tracks despite flashing red warning lights.
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The van found itself entrapped in the barriers
The passenger train struck the vehicle with tremendous force, ripping off its rear corner and spinning it into a nearby ditch.
The van driver initially passed beneath the entrance barrier whilst it was lowering, but found himself blocked by the exit barrier ahead.
Video evidence reveals the driver had an opportunity to escape by manoeuvring around the partially-closed exit barrier, yet he paused instead, allowing it to close completely.
With the train rapidly approaching, the driver attempted to reverse before steering the vehicle onto the embankment beside the railway line.
Despite efforts to position the van away from the tracks, the driver remained too close to avoid impact when the train arrived moments later.
Polish authorities are treating the incident as a cautionary tale for motorists who find themselves in similar predicaments.
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Law enforcement officials are urging drivers to smash through level crossing barriers if they become trapped,
Law enforcement officials are urging drivers to smash through level crossing barriers if they become trapped, rather than remaining stationary on railway lines.
The prosecutor’s office has launched an investigation into Wednesday’s crash to establish the circumstances that led to the collision.
The footage, which has attracted 13.7 million views on X, has been widely circulated by police as an educational tool.
Officers confirmed that despite the extensive damage to the Opel van, which was travelling between Świnoujście and its destination, all individuals involved emerged without injuries.
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The dramatic CCTV footage shows the van torn apart
Online observers have responded to the viral footage with sharp criticism of the driver’s choices during the emergency.
“This is a PERFECT example of how stupid 95 per cent of drivers are. Stop on the tracks and risk death instead of breaking that crossing arm. You just can’t make this up,” one social media user commented.
Others suggested infrastructure improvements, with one proposing: “The barriers on the inner side should be painted green and/or bear information about the possibility of being rammed in a dangerous situation.”
Another user summarised the situation bluntly: “When you must choose between two bad options, choose the less bad one. Unfortunately, he chose the worse.”
