Tram operations on Dublin’s Luas Red Line experienced disruptions on a Saturday evening due to a van that intruded onto the tram tracks close to the Blackhorse station. The van’s operator absconded from the site without leaving any casualties.
The exceptional event led to a temporary halt of services for multiple hours, negatively impacting the movement of thousands of individuals who had come for diverse gigs and functions in Dublin.
Luas posted a timely update on their website, around 10.40pm, remarking that an irresponsible driver plunged their car onto the Luas rails, within a junction area of the Red Line in proximity to the Blackhorse Station.
The site was visited by tow truck firms, Luas’s technical team, and officials from An Garda Síochána. After inspection, a necessary step was the removal of the car with a crane. Additionally, the overhead power sources in the vicinity needed temporary disconnection.
Though services were halted momentarily, trams resumed operations once the obstruction was cleared. Trams continued their operations, albeit with considerable delays, between The Point and Tallaght/Saggart on the Red Line late on Saturday night. This was during a time when large groups were expected to avail the service as citywide gigs and events were drawing to a close.
An Garda Síochána issued a statement on Saturday night explaining: “Officers attended the site of a vehicular mishap involving a van that was obstructing the Luas tram path at Blackhorse, Inchicore, Dublin 8, this evening, Saturday 29th June 2024, around 7.10pm. While the Luas line needed temporary closure, it is now operational again.
The individual at the steering wheel didn’t stay at the site. Fortunately, that time reported no injuries. Further inquiries are ongoing.”
The incident didn’t impact the Green Line services.
Sunday marks 20 years since Luas’s initial public tram services.