Sondrio – “Those, as well as other level crossings that insist on the municipal territory of Villa di Tirano, are dangerous because those who enter the State road have no space or visibility and are forced to wait on the tracks until the 38 is free”. This is stated by Mayor Franco Marantelli Colombin after the narrowly averted tragedy that saw the utility car of a couple from the town trapped between the bars of the level crossing called “Casello” late Tuesday afternoon. Seeing the train approaching from Sondrio, the two quickly got out of the car, leaving their red Kia Rio trapped by the train – which managed to brake, but not to stop its course – their only victim being their dog, which was inside the car and could not escape in time.
The news and photos of the crumpled car immediately bounced on social media, where unpleasant comments and inaccurate news were not lacking, such as the one according to which the level crossing bars did not lower. “In reality, at the time of the accident they were – clarifies the mayor – simply the two people in the car, which was then hit, were already on the tracks ready to enter the State road and from that position they did not notice the red light behind them, signaling the lowering of the bars. There used to be an audible signal as well, but not anymore”.
It goes without saying that the only real solution is to eliminate level crossings. There has been talk since 2017, but this time the start of the works is really close. “Now the resources are there – confirms the mayor – and before the end of 2024 the first two tenders for the works will start. Except for the Stazzona crossing, the others will all disappear. In a few days, the coordination meeting will be held precisely for the one on Tuesday’s incident and I foresee that the works for the construction of the driveway and cycle path underpass that will replace it can start in the second half of 2025”. Meanwhile, Aidaa, the Italian Association for the Defense of Animals and the Environment, has announced that today it will send a report to the Sondrio Prosecutor’s Office against the driver of the Kia, on which the dog was crushed to death, for the crimes of mistreatment and abandonment of an animal.
