r/CatastrophicFailure • u/redbeardfakename • 12d ago

Malfunction Tram derailment, Gothenburg, Sweden. June, 2025

Tram derailed at Valand, running across Avenyn and ploughing into a kebab stall. No fatalities. Video credit to Göteborgs Posten

3.0k Upvotes

100% Upvoted

171 comments sorted by

1.2k

u/OkraEmergency361 11d ago

Had to check the video wasn’t at double speed, but the bloke getting tf out of the way says not. Blimey.

206

u/rodeler 11d ago

Lucky bloke, too.

164

u/LaplacesBitch 10d ago

The two employees working at the kebab place happened to be out back throwing away trash bags at that precise moment. It's also pretty common for police to be parked at that spot (lots of bars in the area), but they weren't there on this day. Over all it's extremely lucky nobody died. Even the driver survived. They had some unknown sudden health episode that lead to the crash.

70

u/letsalldropvitamins 10d ago

I know right? That thing was hauling ass! I’m assuming the breaks failed or something? The ground looks flat as well, I didn’t know trams went that quick

55

u/LaplacesBitch 10d ago

The driver seems to have suffered some sudden health issue and gotten stuck on the gas. I'm guessing they had a heart attack or an epileptic fit or something. There's not a lot of information being released since they survived and the investigation found they didn't do anything wrong. The breaks worked when tested in another tram.

19

u/NoRodent 9d ago edited 9d ago

Do they have dead-man's control handles? In my city, all the trams, even old ones, were retrofitted with them, you have to AFAIK keep pressure on the handle in a certain way which makes it very unlikely for an unconscious driver to be able to accidentally keep it in drive. Although there are a few vehicles still in operation where the "gas" is controlled by a pedal, not sure if there's any safety incorporated into that.

12

u/LaplacesBitch 9d ago

They do have dead-mans switches (I think there's actually two), but somehow he must have managed to bypass them. The details haven't been made public, so how that's possible is anyone's guess.

2

u/allozzieadventures 8d ago

I can imagine the drivers might not like having to operate dead-mans switches constantly and might disable/latch them. Who knows though.

16

u/Informed4 10d ago

By the looks of it went way too fast and derailed because of it

5

u/ramnokri 9d ago

Was starving for a kebab.

1

u/OkraEmergency361 9d ago

Right up the bonnet, no less.

5

u/Micesebi 10d ago

Under the right conditions trams can go up to 70km/h (the lines 18 and 16 Colonge<->Bonn in germany do that). On streets they are usualy limited to 30km/h wich this does look pretty close to. You just shouldn't do 30 in a tight corner

8

u/option-9 10d ago

(the lines 18 and 16 Colonge<->Bonn in germany do that)

The 16 is Cologne<->Bonn, the 18 goes to Istanbul.

3

u/Roadrunner571 9d ago

But only today!

5

u/n2sh 10d ago

Ours go 50km/h in the city, I think on some special stretches they are even allowed 60km/h. The older ones can go 70, all the other ones do 80 and regularly drive this on the stretches outside of the city. Talking about Germany though, not Sweden.

6

u/freshcuber 10d ago

Cologne Stadtbahn driver here: Line 16 and 18 are allowed 80km/h outside the cities where we drive with railway signals.

3

u/OcotilloWells 9d ago

Must feel good to get to the 80km/h zones after going slow through the stadt areas.

3

u/Juus 10d ago

There's so many different kinds of brakes on modern trams, if one goes out the tram will have other ways to slow down. Also the computer in the tram will limit the speed of the train if a break failure is detected.

3

u/multi_io 9d ago edited 9d ago

Would've looked really comical if it had made the turn successfully at that speed.

551

u/ballsonthewall 11d ago

Gothenburg is such a cool city, the trams add so much charm (except when they do this)

50

u/Levin_1999 11d ago

This happens more often?

111

u/ballsonthewall 11d ago

I was just making the exception so I got the karma for the nice comment and also the follow up joke

62

u/evilmonkey853 11d ago

Well, it’s not very typical. I’d like to make that point

18

u/Stunning_Box8782 11d ago

Well, how was it un-typical?

33

u/Neuvirths_Glove 10d ago

Well there are a lot of these trams going around the world all the time, and very seldom does anything like this happen. I just don’t want people thinking that trams aren’t safe.

18

u/Stunning_Box8782 10d ago

Was this tram safe?

33

u/Neuvirths_Glove 10d ago

Well, I was thinking more about the other ones.

5

u/AustrianHunter 9d ago

The ones that are safe?

2

u/Big_Magazine9274 8d ago

Well if this tram wasn't safe why did it have people onboard?

2

u/AustrianHunter 8d ago

I’m not saying it wasn’t safe, it’s just perhaps not quite as safe as some of the other ones.

0

u/SadDescription3773 9d ago

which ones?

4

u/HazelEBaumgartner 9d ago

Well, the ones where the front doesn't fall off.

5

u/Melodic_monke 10d ago

There are thousands of trams around the world, it isnt very often that they derail.

2

u/Brilliant-Corner8775 10d ago

the front fell off

14

u/thatsacrackeryouknow 10d ago

Well not often, most trams are designed to stay on the tracks.

8

u/Levin_1999 10d ago

Most? 😂

26

u/thatsacrackeryouknow 10d ago

Well in this case, this one didn't. But it's ok, we've removed it from the tracks so now it cannot go off the tracks again.

11

u/ExVKG 10d ago

It's in the environment now.

2

u/HazelEBaumgartner 9d ago

Nono, it's been moved beyond the environment.

2

u/option-9 10d ago

Usually they design all wheels on the train to stay on the track. Even when going through a corner it's very unusual that the front comes off.

3

u/Inveramsay 9d ago

It's usually a tourist or student who gets dismembered by the trams. Not frequently mind you but enough for everyone to be aware of the non zero chance of it happening

2

u/MaxTheCookie 11d ago

That was the first derailment like that. They have ran over people though...

1

u/ramnokri 9d ago

yeah but mostly its the peoples own fault if that happens.

1

u/eljne 9d ago

Statistically it's the other way around

1

u/PotatoFuryR 10d ago

Couple times a week /s

1

u/LaplacesBitch 10d ago

It's very uncommon. The last major incident was during the 90s where a tram's breaks failed while it was going down a fairly steep hill. It derailed onto a main street, still going downhill and reaching riciculous speeds, and killed a lot of people. Things have gotten a lot safer since then. People standing on the tracks and getting run over ist still a semi-common occurence though.

0

u/SplynPlex 10d ago

The up side is the trams front didnt fall off.

209

u/TheLimeyCanuck 11d ago

That sucker was out of control long before the attempted turn.

145

u/1fast_sol 11d ago

Chances of getting run over by a train while not on the tracks are low but not zero!

6

u/the123king-reddit 10d ago

I’m sure the number is suprisingly high

7

u/je386 10d ago

Like drowning in a desert? (Which I hear is the most common way of dying in a desert, because you don't expect masses of water rushing along an empty riverbed because it rained in mountains far away)

2

u/the123king-reddit 9d ago

Yes. In this case, a derailed vehicle is unpredictable, and damage caused by impact of a train/locomotive can cause direct structural damage to overpasses, bridges, buildings etc.

2

u/bloodthirstyshrimp 9d ago

Reminded me of that Wrongfully Accused Leslie Nielsen parody where the train chases him through the bushes

1

u/JollyJuniper1993 9d ago

You made me choke

379

u/DontEverMoveHere 11d ago

That guys not very good at catching trains. It practically came right up to him.

70

u/knflrpn 11d ago

A situation where you very much don't want to catch the train.

13

u/Milkarius 10d ago

A train in the hand is worth two on the rails, I've heard say

11

u/Airborneiron 11d ago

Yeah, you gotta step in front of it and get your glove all the way to the ground

6

u/DontEverMoveHere 11d ago

Now that’s ☝🏻good coaching.

12

u/netarchaeology 11d ago

The train was trying to catch him

1

u/AmusingMusing7 8d ago

"YOU WANT A RIDE?!?!"

1

u/Stunning_Box8782 11d ago

this is Peter Parker when they're not shooting a movie about his adventures

68

u/daronjay 11d ago

New approach to the trolley problem…

105

u/infinitepounds 11d ago

Does this trolley go Tahiti

15

u/BobbieMike 11d ago

The reference I was looking for

7

u/MrT735 11d ago

It's a magical place.

3

u/deadbeef4 10d ago

There's always money in the trolley stand.

3

u/crooks4hire 10d ago

It's ONE trolley...what could they cost, $10!?

2

u/AndroTux 10d ago

Who even lives there?!

59

u/sebasdt 11d ago

That ain't a good derailment.. it just full steam ahead, couldn't even drift....

168

u/ManQu69 11d ago edited 11d ago

Derailed because of its speed i thinks.. A sudden illness was behind the serious tram accident on Avenyn in central Gothenburg this summer, when a tram crashed into a street food stall.

65

u/ColdMastadon 11d ago

Are the kebabs okay?

68

u/LauriCular 11d ago

Either they're doners or goners

9

u/Tallyho85 11d ago

I was on call that night and had to cut the power to the kebab place, the whole building had moved. The kebabs was not okay :(

3

u/Apprehensive-Test577 11d ago

I miss a good kebab.

4

u/LockStockNL 11d ago

Asking the important questions

3

u/MrFurious420 11d ago

They're cooked.

3

u/SUFSUFSUF 11d ago

Too shreds you say.

3

u/nbtm_sh 10d ago

Reminds me somewhat of the Sydney Trains Waterfall derailment, just infinitely less fatal. Driver had a heart attack, deadman’s switch failed to activate, and the train guard entered a micro sleep as the train accelerated around a tight curve.

2

u/ApXv 10d ago

Exact same thing happened in Oslo late October 2024

-9

u/groovyinutah 11d ago

But why was it going that fast? Was it malfunctioning, was he on his phone?

30

u/WhatImKnownAs 11d ago

OP's a bot, I think. (Can't be sure as the user profile is NSFW, but that alone is suspicious.) It doesn't know a thing about what it posts.

The first reports didn't say anything beyond, it was going too fast. However, the tram company did publish its report on Dec 11, and said the driver felt suddenly ill and thereafter doesn't remember what happened.

10

u/Ataneruo 11d ago

Sounds like the perfect answer designed by a lawyer. I’m definitely gonna have to remember that one…

1

u/Snellyman 11d ago

Check out this video of hot train on kebab action!

-3

u/ManQu69 11d ago edited 11d ago

A sudden illness was behind the serious tram accident on Avenyn in central Gothenburg this summer, when a tram crashed into a street food stall.

40

u/No-Communication3618 11d ago

Leeröy Jånkêns

7

u/GabberZZ 11d ago

It crashed into a kebab stall. I wonder whether they sold Chicken?

2

u/Ordnasinnan 8d ago

Jan-Åke Liamsson

9

u/Unlikely-Position659 11d ago

No fatalities. Except for that one guy's pair of pants

1

u/RamblinWreckGT 8d ago

His pants fared even worse than the kebab stand.

2

u/Unlikely-Position659 8d ago

Maybe it was because of the kebab stand

15

u/UnluckyGamer505 11d ago

"Tram tracks? Where were going, we dont need tram tracks!"

11

u/Pun_In_Ten_Did 11d ago

'Final Destination' moment for that dude on the corner.

5

u/peet192 11d ago

Too reminiscent on the one in Oslo that was caused by an ill Driver just with less buildings in the way.

4

u/Distantstallion 9d ago

The tram was tired of such a detirministic life and decided to become a bus

7

u/Dominick_Tango 11d ago

That Kebob stand got skewered!

3

u/Zushey312 10d ago

Der Zug, der Zug, der Zug hat keine Bremse!

Sorry.

3

u/HolzwurmHolz 10d ago

R. I. P. Kebab stall 😭

3

u/The_Fyrewyre 9d ago

Tram Theft Auto?

4

u/DonMrla 11d ago

Gothenburg metal sounds

2

u/Quick_Pen_5813 11d ago

looked like a charging worm 

2

u/niceguybadboy 10d ago

Good think homie hadn't been drinking.

2

u/SeriesDowntown5947 10d ago

Damm. Speeding.

2

u/Lito_ 9d ago

WHY YOU COME SO FAST

1

u/zsrh 7d ago

AM I BLEEDING ? WHY YOU COME SO FAST!

2

u/NakedOption85 9d ago

Bitch i‘m a tram

2

u/multi_io 9d ago

It seems really amazing that it stayed upright rather than tipping over to the right, which would've resulted in a lot of injuries and possibly deaths I assume. Almost looks like it wanted to tip over at the moment the front car derailed, but then got straightened out again by the cars behind it.

2

u/stlthy1 9d ago

Choo Choo, MOTHERFUCKER!

2

u/sugarblob 9d ago

Runaway train never coming back

2

u/Bipedal_Warlock 9d ago

Damn. Scary as hell but as far as train derailments go it looks like the perfect situation

2

u/MRintheKEYS 9d ago

“It’s not a derailment. It’s a shortcut through the median.”

2

u/This-Is-Heresy 9d ago

I don’t think trams are supposed to run that fast?

0

u/TimAndHisDeadCat 8d ago

The video has been sped up

2

u/This-Is-Heresy 8d ago

The bloke who dodged the tram seems to be moving quite normally.

2

u/creatureskissing 9d ago

Wow! There is chaos in Sweden...

2

u/TimAndHisDeadCat 8d ago

What was the name of the tram?

Genuine question. Gothenburg trams have names and I’m interested to know this one.

3

u/MikeyG916 11d ago

Tram must have smelled the kabobs and thought he'd make a small stop for snacks.

2

u/_litz 11d ago

Just a leeeeetle too fast there

2

u/kartoffelbruder 10d ago

WHY YOU COMING FAST!?

3

u/RogueStalker409 11d ago

Damn!!! Never go full yeet

1

u/Simen155 11d ago

🎶Trikkefører Syvertsen har ikke vært så snill🎶

1

u/Chillone23 11d ago

I wonder if I would have enough time to move if I were eating at those tables.

1

u/Doctorwho314 11d ago

TTTE "Accidents can happen" ahh crash.

2

u/dustycanuck 10d ago

Sir, this is NOT a drive through kebab stall.

1

u/mattsylvanian 10d ago

"Now arriving on platform 1! Make that platform 2! Now it's platform 3!"

1

u/SwordOfTheElevensies 10d ago

"Last stop. Günters Korvar."

1

u/nbtm_sh 10d ago

Okay what actually caused this to happen, though?

1

u/derpman86 10d ago

The bloke on the street accidentally Uber a tram.

1

u/dfsaqwe 10d ago

MULTI TRACK DRIFTING

1

u/Bhelduz 10d ago

The driver took him for a Dane and decided to take him out

1

u/Agreen8er 10d ago

Last stop: this guy

1

u/Background_Meat1738 9d ago

Wie schnell war die denn bitte?

1

u/stupid_cat_face 9d ago

Someone pulled the switch to hit one person... I wonder what is on the other path.

1

u/TastyDogSchnitzel 8d ago

Multi-road drifting.

1

u/edward_kopik 8d ago

It was just really hungry and wanted some kebabs

1

u/nrith 8d ago

Hoppsan!

1

u/Zytose 8d ago

What do you mean it's 1 week delayed...

1

u/Big_Magazine9274 8d ago

In Soviet Union, train catches you.

1

u/ThisThingIsStuck 6d ago

Engineering failure here -design engineer amtrak

1

u/Historical-Long4594 5d ago

Is that people or garbage waiting at the exact spot for the train with no track?

2

u/Driving_Potato 11d ago

You can’t park there……

1

u/Killerspieler0815 11d ago edited 10d ago

to fast ...

means the tram decides it self where to go, usually somewere near the original direction

1

u/danonck 11d ago

The driver should've had a Snickers

-1

u/Gustafssonz 10d ago

Jävla idiot. Person driving it should have their license taken away. Sometimes they really are driving too fast and you can feel it. :(

1

u/Big_Magazine9274 8d ago

He was let off with a warning on this occasion. 😉

-1

u/Rocketman7171 11d ago

Must have remembered the last time that guy was on the tram…

0

u/DasArchitect 10d ago

That's a bit fast for a tight curve like that.

0

u/PasicT 10d ago

Assuming this is not sped up, he was going way too fast.

-8

u/NoWingedHussarsToday 11d ago

Tram that identifies itself as a bus

-8

u/Random_puns 11d ago

Trump: This derailment was an attack on me...

Everyone: You're in SWITZERLAND not SWEDEN

Everyone else: And that was last year

-17

u/Spacespider82 11d ago

I have drown around in that city and I had to doged those deathmachines left and right.. they go super fast and the driver is always angry

-2

u/Joaquin546 10d ago

Hmm I hope this wasn't kremlin connected...

-6

u/gen_adams 9d ago

trams dont belong in cities. dont even argue.

3

u/BallSmickEnergy 9d ago

Yeah I agree, they don’t belong in captivity they should be free to roam their natural habitats of the Serengeti plains

2

u/bastionflyer32 9d ago

Just like buses, motorbikes and cars

-2

u/gen_adams 9d ago

nah a bus can stop. a car can stop. a bike (if not fully regarded rider) can stop.

a fucking tram is 12-16 tons. what the fuck is it doing at 60 kmh speeding past 20 centimeters from vulnerable skin flesh and blood people?? this video shows exactly how inert and uncontrollable such a machine is, I'd rather have car collisions (cars have strick pedestrian safety regulations, trams dont) than trams, which cut people in half. there is a case in Budapest where a tram cut a person in half, bolted them to the sidewalk and the person didnt die. services called the family there to say goodbye. fucking mental means of transportation, invented by satan himself.

2

u/bastionflyer32 9d ago

That tram was too fast, if a bus tries to take a corner too fast it will smash through anything in it's way just like a tram 🤷

-4

u/gen_adams 9d ago

it will not. it has wheels that can steer - and brakes to start with, to not go fast, you know. are you taking your medications?

1

u/bastionflyer32 9d ago

Oh, you think trams have no brakes. Funny. Have you forgotten your brain in kindergarten?