Two trains have collided head-on on a level crossing just northwest of Copenhagen, leaving four people critically injured and 13 others requiring hospital treatment, officials report. The trains were traveling on a line connecting the towns of Hillerød and Kagerup in the North Zealand area.

Tim Ole Simonsen from the Greater Copenhagen fire department indicated that the nature of the crash is currently under investigation, and all injured passengers were transported to hospitals by air or ambulance. Local mayor Trine Egetved expressed deep emotional distress regarding the accident.

Public broadcaster DR released images showing the two yellow and grey trains, both suffering considerable front-end damage in a wooded area. The Frederiksborg Fire and Rescue service responded to the crash around 06:30 local time (05:30 BST).

Mayor Egetved confirmed that those severely injured were flown to the National Hospital in Copenhagen, stressing the importance of the local railway to residents, workers, and students.

Rail traffic accidents are rare in Denmark, and experts suggest that the crash may have resulted from a train driver mistakenly overriding a stop signal at a local station. There are concerns that the Gribskov line lacks an automated safety system.

Egetved articulated the necessity of ensuring that such collisions never occur again, highlighting the shock of two trains colliding head-on.