Suspected drunk train driver causes train chaos - 26 trains accumulate 1124 minutes delay

A suspected drunk train driver significantly disrupted rail traffic between Heessen and Ahlen on Wednesday afternoon (October 8th). The 31-year-old brought his freight train to a standstill on his own and then did not respond to attempts by the dispatcher to contact him or to calls from the Deutsche Bahn emergency control center.

A train driver of a train passing slowly became suspicious and reported a possible drunk driving. The emergency control center then alerted the federal police.

Even before the officers arrived, the 31-year-old continued his journey. In the Ahlen freight station area, he stopped the train again and left the driver's cab. A Deutsche Bahn emergency manager discovered the man, who was obviously drunk, nearby a little later and handed him over to the federal police.

The emergency services prohibited the Dutch national, who works for a private transport company, from continuing his journey. An investigation was initiated against him for endangering rail traffic. The officers also ordered a blood sample to be taken.

1124 minutes delay – 26 trains affected

The impact on rail traffic was significant. Because of the incident, the railway line had to be completely closed for a time. A total of 26 trains were affected, which together accumulated 1,124 minutes of delay - the equivalent of 18 hours and 44 minutes.

The freight train could only continue running after a replacement engine driver took control.