Pensioner killed by Brussels tram

18 November 2004

BRUSSELS – A pensioner was killed early on Thursday by a Brussels tram while trying to cross the tracks.

The incident occurred near the Montgomery roundabout and happened on the same tramline that saw two serious accidents last month when trams collided.

The accident happened at 7.50am when the old lady tried to cross a part of the tracks not intended for pedestrians.

She was clipped by one tram, which threw her into the path of another oncoming tram on the other line.

The victim died before the emergency services arrived at the scene and the public prosecutor’s office has opened an enquiry.

STIB, the Brussels public transport authority, said the accident had been caused by the rain.

Trams 39 and 44 were suspended between the Montgomery roundabout and the Woluwe-Saint-Pierre depot and STIB laid on temporary busses.

Meanwhile, another public transport strike threatens to disrupt Brussels on 29 November, at the request of Socialist unions.

The vote to strike was taken after a three hour meeting where the group was split over whether to suspend industrial action until 7 December.

The core of the Socialist union remains dissatisfied with management plans to deal with the delicate issue work breaks, which lies at the heart of the strike action.

STIB workers are protesting that heavy traffic is depriving drivers of work breaks and leading to intolerable working conditions.

Subject: Belgian news