On February 14th it was exactly two years ago to the day that two trains collided on the S-Bahn line near Schäftlarn and a passenger was killed. From Monday next week it will be clarified before the Munich district court how the accident could have happened. A 56-year-old train driver will be in the dock and is accused, among other things, of negligent homicide. According to investigations by the public prosecutor’s office, he is said to have ignored several stop and warning signals and caused the collision.
That day, 24-year-old Mustafa M. was sitting on the S7 from Wolfratshausen heading towards Munich. He died in the collision and 51 other passengers suffered injuries. The two train drivers were also seriously injured, and one of them now has to stand trial. The man is said to have taken the S-Bahn in Wolfratshausen at 4:24 p.m.
According to the public prosecutor, the train with the number 6785 was said to have been traveling too fast. That’s why the train is said to have automatically braked, but the driver is said to have ignored this signal. Train 6785 and the oncoming S-Bahn were supposed to meet at Ebenhausen-Schäftlarn station before train 6785 continued on the single-track route to Munich. But the S-Bahn towards Wolfratshausen was late and was still on the route.
According to the public prosecutor’s office, the driver of train 6785 left the station despite a “stop” signal. He was slowed down again – and is said to have continued driving illegally after standing still for 13 seconds – until the collision. The negotiation will clarify why. The court has scheduled three days of trial, with a verdict expected on March 7th.