On Sunday afternoon, July 13, 2025, shortly before 11.30 a.m., a serious traffic accident occurred in Wasserauen between a train composition by the Appenzeller railways and a passenger car, the Innerrhoder cantonal police said.
The 22-year-old driver of the passenger car was seriously injured and had to be flown to the hospital by Rega. His 21-year-old passenger, who had to be released from the vehicle by the fire brigade, suffered minor injuries and was also taken to the hospital. At the time of the accident, there was also a dog in the car that was also injured.
The train of the Appenzeller trains was on the move from Wasserauen towards Appenzell. At the same time, the 22-year-old driver wanted to cross a level crossing secured with St. Andrew’s cross. There was a violent collision. There were only a few passengers on the train. The train driver and all passengers remained unharmed. Total damage was caused on the passenger car. The train operation had to be stopped for a few hours. The Appenzeller railways quickly organized a rail replacement bus and were further announced.
The fire brigade also secured the scene of the accident and regulated the traffic between water meadows and the Schwende. The Rega, the Appenzell ambulance, the fire brigades Schwende, Rüte and Appenzell, the Piketdienst of the Office for the Environment, various emergency services from the Appenzeller Bahnen and the Appenzell Innerrhoden cantonal police. The Swiss accident investigation agency (Sust) was informed about the incident.
