A railway accident in the Central region is causing a dispute between Infraestruturas de Portugal and the owners of a herd that was hit by a train. The case involves dozens of dead animals, interruptions in railway traffic and a claim for compensation in excess of 26,000 euros.
According to the newspaper, the collision occurred on December 28 last year, in the Verride area, in the municipality of Montemor-o-Velho, involving a regional train that was traveling between Coimbra B and Caldas da Rainha.
Accident happened in a curve area
According to the same source, the driver reported to the authorities that, upon exiting a curve, he found the herd stopped on the railway line. Despite having activated the braking system, he was unable to avoid the crash. After the collision, the train traveled approximately 540 meters until it was completely immobilized, writes the newspaper.
The accident resulted in the deaths of 89 sheep belonging to two different owners. One of the breeders lost 65 animals and the other was left without 24. In addition to the destruction of the herd, the impact caused disruptions to railway traffic on that regional connection.
Trains were canceled and suffered delays
Infraestruturas de Portugal maintains that the accident had significant operational consequences. According to Correio da Manhã, there was a total suspension of six trains and partial interruption of two others. Railway circulation also recorded accumulated delays equivalent to 580 minutes in 36 trains.
Following the accident, Infraestruturas de Portugal decided to move forward with a claim for compensation against the herd owners. The amount claimed exceeds 26,000 euros and aims to compensate for losses caused in railway operations. The entity considers that the damage caused to circulation justifies holding the owners of the animals involved in the accident responsible.
Defense rejects responsibility of pastors
The sheep owners contest the request made by Infraestruturas de Portugal. According to lawyer Vítor Gaspar, there is no basis for attributing compensatory responsibilities to creators. “There is no intent and it arises from the risk of using the railway network and driving the locomotive”, said the lawyer, quoted by the newspaper.
The owners’ defense guarantees that it will try to prevent any conviction related to the case. “Everything will be done to absolve the two owners of the herd of the request that is being formulated”, declared Vítor Gaspar. The lawyer maintains that the episode should be seen as an accident associated with the normal functioning of the railway infrastructure and not as a situation of intentional negligence.
Line suffered disturbances after the collision
After the collision, railway traffic between Verride and Caldas da Rainha was partially affected. According to the same source, the regional service had to be adjusted due to the consequences of the accident.
The case now continues to generate discussion about liability in accidents involving animals and railway infrastructure, in a dispute that could end up in court.
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