Two trains collide head-on in Denmark, five critically hurt

Public broadcaster DR showed images of two yellow and grey trains with front damage, facing each other in a wooded area.

Gribskov mayor Trine Egetved said she was deeply shaken and urged that such an incident must never happen again; she also noted the local track's importance to residents.

An expert suggested one of the train drivers may have ended up on the wrong line by overriding a stop signal as the train left a local station.

The Gribskov line was not thought to have been updated with an automated safety system.

Inspector Morten Pedersen said it was far too early to know the cause of the crash.

Denmark's Accident Investigation Board arrived at the scene during the morning and police officials said they would work together to determine what happened.

Those with critical injuries were flown to the National Hospital in Copenhagen; other injured were taken by air or ambulance to hospitals.

Authorities said 38 people were on board; five were critically hurt and 12 sustained minor injuries.

Fire and rescue teams were alerted immediately after the crash.

Two trains collide head-on on a level crossing on the Hillerød–Kagerup line, northwest of Copenhagen, at 06:29 local time.