An overheight crane mounted on a truck struck the railway bridge over the N242 near Heerhugowaard earlier this morning. The driver of a passing car escaped unharmed, although part of the crane landed on the vehicle. Train services between Alkmaar and Heerhugowaard were suspended for an extended period due to damage to the bridge. This is not the first time the bridge has been struck.
The crane was being transported on a truck with a trailer but turned out to be too high for the railway bridge crossing the N242.
Following the impact, the crane fell from the trailer and collided with a passing car. The driver of the car was checked by ambulance personnel but did not require hospital treatment.
Repeated incidents
The railway bridge is frequently struck by vehicles carrying overheight loads. Previous incidents have involved a fairground attraction, a carillon, and earlier cases where an excavator exceeded the height limit. Although the clearance height is 4 metres, drivers regularly misjudge their vehicle height or take the risk that it will pass.
As a result of the accident, part of the N242 near Heerhugowaard towards Alkmaar was temporarily closed. Rail traffic was also halted but has since resumed.