An intercity passenger train derailed in Tithorea, Greece, on 11 September 1994. Five people were killed. A preliminary report stated that the cause of the accident was excessive speed.
The crash was referred to as one of Greece's most tragic rail disasters.
Derailment The Intercity 42 “Trikoupis” operating the Athens–Volos route, was forced by OSE station staff at Tithorea to divert onto a passing track due to a disabled train (No. 602) in front obstructing the main line. The train entered the approaches at , far exceeding the mandated slow-speed limit and even above the main-line limit of Five people were killed, and 10 more were injured including a 4-year-old boy and a 14-year-old girl when one carriage of the train derailed at a turn, derailing the whole train. One carriage caught fire, though it did not spread.
Investigation The official report blamed the driver for ignoring a warning signal before Tithorea and not adhering to the slowdown directive; the driver stated he was informed too late about the route change, saying:
“I was entering Tithorea at 140 km/h. Fifty meters before reaching the switch, I saw the changed track. What could I do?”
It was also revealed, by Lamia journalist Giorgos Palamiotis, who investigated the issue, the accident had another explanation, that OSE had given a small bonus of around 18 drachmas to drivers for each minute saved during their journey, a possible incentive that contributed to excessive speed. Both the driver, G. Grammatikis, and the train's supervisor, A. Mitrolios, were held responsible. Grammatikis was sentenced to 59 months in jail; Mitrolios received a sentence of 33 months and 15 days.
See also List of rail accidents in Greece List of rail accidents (1990–1999)
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