Four people injured in Zurich tram crash

Two trams collided at Sternen Oerlikon in Zurich on Monday afternoon. Four people, including both drivers, were injured. 

Trams collide on Schaffhauserstrasse, Zurich

Two trams crashed at Sternen Oerlikon, in the north of Zurich, on the afternoon of Monday, September 15. The two trams crashed close to Sternen Oerlikon station and caused both vehicles to derail. Four people were injured: the two tram drivers and two passengers. 

The line 11 tram was heading along Schaffhauserstrasse toward Hallenstadion, while the line 14 tram was driving along Schaffhauserstrasse toward the centre of Zurich, reports 20Minuten. 

Services investigating cause of Zurich crash

The tram crash in Oerlikon resulted in delays and disruptions to public transport in central Zurich. Several lines were disrupted until Tuesday morning. Line 11 operations were limited to running between Rehalp and Oerlikon, while line 14 was running in both directions between Triemli and Milbuck. Lines 61 and 62 operated in both directions between Oberwiesenstrasse and Messe Hallenstadion, and line 75 ran between Max-Bill-Platz and Messe Friedackerstrasse. 

Passengers were advised to travel on the S-bahn as an alternative to taking the tram. As of Tuesday morning, all lines have resumed normal service. 

The cause of the tram crash is “still unclear” and “the subject of ongoing investigations”, according to the Swiss police. Blick reports that several emergency services were sent to the crash scene, including the police, fire brigade, several ambulances and the Swiss Accident Investigation Board. 

In 2024, VBZ tested the use of airbags on Zurich trams to improve safety, amid a rise in the number of medical emergencies experienced on trams.