Two men aged 25 and 55 have died following a workplace accident in Hallsberg municipality. The incident occurred during railway work when a counterweight fell from a machine and crushed them. A preliminary investigation has been opened, but no one is suspected.
The accident occurred just before 2 p.m. on Thursday between Hallsberg and Östansjö, south of Örebro. The two men, from Värmland, were performing excavation work as part of expanding the railway to double track. A counterweight detached from a machine for unknown reasons and crushed them, police said. The men were taken to hospital by ambulance with serious injuries but were pronounced dead around 9 p.m. Relatives have been notified. Police conducted a technical examination and interviewed witnesses. A preliminary investigation into two counts of negligence causing death in a workplace accident has been initiated. Police state it is routine to investigate the circumstances. Spokesperson Sophia Jiglind said: 'A counterweight fell from a machine for unknown reasons and crushed these two men so severely that they later died from their injuries.' She added: 'It is an unimaginably tragic accident.' No one has been notified of suspicion of crime. Infrastructure Minister Andreas Carlson (KD) posted on X: 'I have been informed that police have confirmed two people have tragically died in a workplace accident in Hallsberg. The accident occurred during railway work. Work has stopped. Crisis support has been activated. My thoughts go to relatives and colleagues.'
