Wrong-Way Driver Causes Major Accident in Gotthard Tunnel

A serious accident occurred in Switzerland's vital Gotthard tunnel system when a 76-year-old driver caused a head-on collision by traveling in the wrong direction. The incident, which took place on Friday morning in the Naxberg tunnel on the A2 motorway, resulted in multiple injuries and significant disruption to this crucial Alpine transport route.

The Gotthard tunnel system, a critical piece of Swiss infrastructure connecting the country's northern and southern regions, became the scene of this dangerous incident that has raised concerns about tunnel safety and elderly driver protocols.

According to the Uri cantonal police, the incident unfolded shortly after 7:00 AM when the elderly motorist, who was initially driving southbound on the A2, made an unexpected turn inside the front tunnel of the Gotthard road system. The driver then proceeded northbound in the overtaking lane, directly against oncoming traffic.

The situation culminated in a head-on collision in the Naxberg tunnel with a correctly traveling vehicle. Police investigations are ongoing to determine why the senior citizen made the dangerous decision to turn around within the tunnel system, with no clear explanation available at the time of reporting.

The collision resulted in five casualties, with four people sustaining serious injuries and one person suffering minor injuries. A coordinated emergency response involving ambulance services from three cantons - Uri, Ticino, and Lucerne - was mobilized to address the situation. All injured parties were transported to the cantonal hospital in Altdorf for treatment.

The multi-cantonal emergency response highlights the well-coordinated Swiss emergency services system and the challenges of managing accidents in the country's complex tunnel infrastructure.

The accident necessitated a 90-minute closure of the A2 motorway's southbound lane, causing significant disruption to one of Switzerland's main north-south transit routes. The Gotthard tunnel system, being a crucial artery for both domestic and international traffic through the Alps, experienced considerable delays and traffic diversions.

This incident has sparked discussions about tunnel safety measures and protocols, particularly regarding wrong-way driving prevention and the monitoring of elderly drivers in critical infrastructure. While the Gotthard tunnel system has robust safety measures in place, this event may lead to a review of existing security protocols and driver monitoring systems.