Three days after train disaster in Belgium: bus driver drives through red lights at same railroad crossing

© picture alliance / Anadolu | Dursun Aydemir

Three days after a bus driver ignored the red lights at a railroad crossing and caused a train accident in which he himself, a companion and two children died, a bus driver from the same transport company has driven through the red light at the same railroad crossing in Buggenhout, Belgium. Fortunately, this time without disastrous consequences.

"It was with great surprise, anger and incomprehension that we received a report of inappropriate and dangerous driving behavior. After this week's tragic accident, at exactly the same place, from the same street, one of our company buses once again drove across the railroad while the barriers were already down and the warning lights were red." This was written in an email sent by the management of the Dendermonde bus company 't Ros Beiaard to its drivers. The mail came after several witnesses reported the incident. The email reached the Flemish newspaper Het Laatste Nieuws.

"This defies all imagination. This is incomprehensible, irresponsible and downright distasteful. Everyone who goes on the road bears responsibility - for passengers, for children and for all other road users," the email read.

On Monday, there was also a confirmation of rumors that had already surfaced over the past week. For years, there appeared to have been complaints about the driver's reckless driving behavior, with phone use behind the wheel, speeding, failing to yield priority and even driving through closing barriers. Children on the bus were frequently frightened or nauseated.

Former bus attendants testified anonymously that complaints dated back six years and that the school, the bus company and the province were notified, but in each case nothing was done. The reason allegedly given was that no other drivers were available.

Picture: © picture alliance / Anadolu | Dursun Aydemir