The accident occurred on SJ Norway’s train 45, which runs from Oslo to Trondheim.
– A little before Dovre, the overhead line was torn. It hit a window in one of the carriages, so that there was a crack in the window, says head of operations, Steinar Olsen to TV 2.
When TV 2 talked to Olsen around 19:15, he said that it would take around 30 minutes before the passengers could leave the train.
The company must have buses ready to pick up the passengers as soon as it is safe to get out.
– We have people from BaneNOR on their way there now. They want to secure the place, then the passengers will get on buses that will take them on to the train, Olsen says.
The doors are closed
SJ Norway says it is unusual for an overhead line to break in this way, and will work to investigate how the accident happened.
– When the overhead line hits a route, it will probably be experienced as dramatic. But there has been no danger, and the doors are now closed so that no one gets off the train until BaneNOR has secured the place. We have clear procedures that are followed when such accidents first occur, Olsen says.
Olsen emphasizes that he has not seen pictures from the place himself.
– Unbearably hot
– CRUSHED: Small pieces of glass are strewn around large parts of the cart. Photo: Private
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One of those stuck in the carriage is Linda K Ulstein. She and her husband have been on Østlandsferie, and are on their way home.
She says that all doors and windows are closed so that passengers do not get out. Because there is no electricity in the caravan, there is also no air conditioning or air ventilation.
– It is unbearably hot in here now, Ulstein says just before 19:30.
Ulstein says that several were frightened when the window exploded, but that people are now calm and composed.
– It’s going well here now. However, we do not know when we will get out, says Ulstein.
At the same time as she talks to TV 2 on the phone, the conductor on the loudspeaker states that “this will take time”.
Ulstein was sitting right next to the route that exploded. She is happy that two young girls who traveled alone got off at the stop before the window broke.
– The two girls sat in the row where the overhead line narrowed into the window. Good luck that they got off at the previous stop, she says.
Many are curious
John Inge Lund is also stuck in the carriage. He says that there were several who jumped when the overhead line narrowed into the window.
– But, there is a calm atmosphere here now. We are waiting for a new message, but we have received information that this will take time, Lund says to TV 2.
Lund further says that they do not have ample access to water, and that it is starting to get very hot inside the carriage.
– We see that there are several who stopped by the road to see what is going on down here. I just hope they are told to stay up there, since there is still electricity in the line that is outside here, he says.
Around 19:45, Linda K Ulstein says that they have finally been allowed to open the doors and windows, but are not allowed to go out.
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