Loose cereal wagons strike freight engine near Martorell

Three wagons loaded with cereal broke away from a parked freight train on a private siding near Martorell, Barcelona, on Tuesday. They rolled onto the main rail network and struck a Renfe Mercancías locomotive.

The wagons came from the private Cargill siding and derailed after the collision. The locomotive had no wagons attached, and its driver was the only person on board.

The cause of the wagons coming loose is not yet known. An inquiry has been opened, and the damage to the rail vehicles will also be assessed.

Driver checked and later discharged

Early reports differed on whether the driver had been hurt. Renfe said he was unhurt and went to hospital for a check as a precaution.

He travelled to the hospital by his own means, according to Renfe's account. A later report said he had been discharged and was well.

No one else was hurt. The crash involved freight stock and did not affect Rodalies passenger trains.

Reports also gave different times for the incident. Some placed it around midday, while another said it happened at about 15:20. The confirmed point is that it took place on Tuesday.

Private siding linked to the main network

The Cargill siding is privately owned but connects with Spain's general rail network. Several freight firms use the track.

The loose wagons reached the general-interest network, where they hit the Renfe freight locomotive. The collision took place near the tracks used for freight moves at Martorell.

Rodalies trains normally use other tracks at the same station. The R4 line passes through Martorell, while R8 services start and finish there.

Adif said the incident had no effect on those passenger services. Freight traffic could face delays until crews remove the derailed wagons.

Martorell is one of Catalonia's main rail freight hubs and has links with the Mediterranean corridor. Freight trains leave the area for the French border, the Port of Barcelona and the Can Tunis terminal.

The investigation will examine why the wagons detached from the parked train and how they reached the main line. It will also set out the scale of the damage.

Sources: Europa Press, ABC, El Correo and La Vanguardia.