Driver dies after car is hit by train

The accident happened at 11.55am when 79-year-old Nicolas Llobera Riera was driving his red Seat Ibiza across the level crossing at Verge de Lluc, near the Calle Aragon, just a couple of hundred metres away from the main railway station in Palma.
A full investigation has been opened into the cause of the accident, and government sources say that the train’s black boxes will provide the answers. However, eyewitnesses apparently told police that the protective barriers across the level crossing were raised, hence why Riera proceeded to cross the tracks, driving right into the path of the oncoming train.

The emergency and security services were on the scene within minutes - the National Police have been placed in charge of the investigation - and the minister for transport, Joan Boned and the minister for interior, Catalina Cladera, also visited the scene to be briefed in person.

Boned expressed his deep condolences on behalf of the government to the family of the victim and added that the CCTV footage of the track will also be carefully examined by investigators.

The train, coming from Manacor, shunted the car some 50 metres down the track before the train and the vehicle finally came to a halt. None of the few passengers onboard were injured. Although shaken, they continued their journey on a bus provided by the SFM Majorcan railway service. The train driver escaped unhurt but was said to have been in a deep state of shock and was taken to the Mutua Balear for a medical check-up and care.
The 79-year-old driver died as a result of the multiple injuries sustained in the accident. The driver behind Riera, who was on his way to work, spoke of how he saw the 79-year-old drive on to the tracks and the train suddenly crash into him "as if it was in slow motion". "I jumped out of the car and ran to help but there was little I could have done," he added.

Railway services in both directions were interpreted for two hours but a fleet of buses were laid on so that people could continue their journeys while the track was cleared and deemed safe by engineers. Just after 2pm, services returned to normal.