One dead in Swiss train crash

Passengers had to climb out of the windows

One person has been killed and several injured in a collision between two trains in Zurich, Swiss police have said.

The accident caused one car to overturn and at least three cars to derail shortly before 1800 (1600 GMT), Swiss Federal Railways said.

Swiss Railways' spokesman Christian Kraeuchi said at least five people had sustained serious injuries in the crash.

Rescue services with ambulances and helicopters went to the scene of the crash, which took place during rush hour at Oerlikon station, an important junction in the city suburbs.

One train was on its way into the city from Schaffhausen in northern Switzerland.

The other was travelling from Zurich to Constance, which is just across the border in Germany.

Witness shock

"There was a huge crash and a large cloud of dust," said Florian Staehli, who was working at a computer firm near the scene.

"Many of the passengers climbed out of the windows," Mr Staehli added.

Rescuers reported difficulty in reaching the overturned car because of its position on an overpass.

Police spokesman Marco Cortesi told Swiss television: "The rescue work is not easy, as the carriages have twisted into each other."

The cause of the crash is under investigation, but witnesses told Swiss television one train appeared to have missed a stop signal in the station, clashing with an oncoming train.