Eyes closed and through? This motto could have been the undoing of the skipper of a German yacht when he tried to pass under the bridge despite the fact that it was already closed.
According to North Jutland Police watch commander Ole Buus, several boats had already passed the open railway bridge from west to east. The sailing yacht from Germany, which did not react to the now red signalling light on the bridge, then followed at some distance. Both masts were then knocked off the already lowering bascule bridge. Fortunately, there was no personal injury. However, the skipper was charged with violating maritime law.
According to Banedanmark, the Danish railway infrastructure manager, which is also responsible for the railway bridge, it is at the discretion of the bridge personnel to decide whether boats are too far away to make it through the bridge opening. After the bridge operator activated the red stop signals, the German sailing yacht increased its speed, but did not manage to pass the bridge in time, which tragically resulted in it unmooring.
Morten Strauch
Editor News & Panorama
