In the morning of Saturday (7), a significant accident occurred in Catanduva, São Paulo, where a car was dragged by a train at a level crossing. Video footage from a security camera captured the moment just after the vehicle passed through the crossing, showing the barrier closing shortly thereafter. The 36-year-old driver, a psychologist, reported to the police that she was driving along Rua XV de Novembro when she encountered several potholes, which caused her vehicle to lose power and stall just before the train's arrival.

The driver attempted to escape the scene but was unable to do so in time, resulting in the car being struck and dragged approximately 130 meters by the train. The accident raised safety concerns, particularly about the condition of the road that led to vehicle failure. In a statement made to G1, the train operator, Rumo, confirmed that the train conductor followed safety protocols, including blowing the horn and activating emergency brakes. Despite these measures, the sheer weight of the train and the limited time to react rendered the efforts ineffective.

This incident highlights ongoing issues regarding road maintenance and safety at railway crossings in Brazil, prompting discussions on the need for better infrastructure to prevent similar accidents. With several vehicles reported to have stalled previously near the crossing, this occurrence may lead to increased scrutiny and potential investigations into both the road conditions and the protocols of the railway operator, aiming to ensure better safety measures for both drivers and train operations.