NMBS accident

Gotta have a first time for everything, I guess...

I took the 20:24 train home last night. This connection isn't an immediate one; it requires me to switch trains in Antwerp Central. Usually, that train arrives there right after the one to Essen—the next one I have to take—has left, requiring me to wait in Antwerp Central for the next train, half an hour later. I usually avoid the :24 for that reason, but this time I thought I'd do a walk through the Antwerp city center to spend the time waiting.

As I arrived in Antwerp, I saw that the train to Essen hadn't left yet, so I thought I'd hurry up and make it for that train. As it turned out, there was no need for me to hurry...

Just as I had found a seat on the train, some staff member arrived in our coupé to tell us that the train would be significantly delayed because an accident had happened somewhere before Kapellen (read: someone had been ran over by a train). After some half hour or so, it was announced that we'd be driven to Antwerp Berchem, and that we'd there switch to buses.

Now this isn't the first time that my train is delayed because of an accident, suicidal or otherwise, which needed to be cleaned up; but it was the first time that they put me on a bus instead.

Interesting experience, that. The trip took only 20 minutes, whereas it usually takes 10 to 15 minutes by train (depending on the exact train you take), or 30 minutes by regular bus service. Those 20 minutes include a significant detour that the bus made for some reason which isn't entirely clear to me.

I sure hope I never have to experience this type of delay from the cause side of the event, though...