I had an interesting train ride to work yesterday morning.
I will point out that it was a Tuesday, meaning that I needed to get up at 5:30am in order to catch my train and get to work for 7:45.
So, everything was going smoothly...Georg dropped me off at the train station 5 min before the train got there (normally, we get there 30sec-1 min before), so everything was relaxed. Train arrived on time...again, another bonus for the day flying by smoothly (it can range from 5-15min late). By now, the time was 6:35am.
Things got bumpy between Kempen and Krefeld. The train braked suddenly and slowed down really fast. We went from more than 100kph to 0 in about 15sec. While this was happening, a noise of something hitting the underside of the train could be heard. After the train stopped, an automatic message came over the loudspeakers: "The train has been involved in an accident. We are waiting for the police". It was 6:45am. So much for my day going smoothly.
Myself and at least 200 other passengers waited 2 hours while 5 Polizei cars, 3 Feuerwagens, and 2 Ambulanzen personal investigated the situation. We never learned what happened...and I had to cancel both of my morning classes. So, by the time I arrived in Düsseldorf at 10am, I was out 50€ from missed work and out wanted sleep. Argh!
My friend, Anja, ended up inviting me over to her new apartment, which made my trip to Düss worthwhile. :D
Speaking with a friend on the train this morning, she said she heard that it was a suicide. But, I've read nothing in the paper and heard nothing else about it.
Regardless, I think that getting hit by a train is a horrible way to die. Especially at 6:45 in the morning.