A Harzer Schmalspurbahnen (HSB) train collided with a small van at an unbarred level crossing in Benneckenstein on Wednesday. The 27-year-old driver of the van was slightly injured, said a spokesman for the police in the Harz district. The train was traveling towards Nordhausen in Thuringia. According to the police, the van driver had overlooked the approaching train on the single-track route. It was initially unclear how many passengers were in the railcar.

According to the HSB, the railway line was initially closed. This mainly affects the tourist steam train that runs from Nordhausen to the Brocken, said an HSB spokesman. He had to turn back before Benneckenstein. According to the company’s website, several train connections were canceled.

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