Ambulance and fire truck collide in Papenburg, leaving five injured

A routine emergency call turned tragic when two response vehicles collided at full speed. Now, questions swirl over intersection safety for first responders.

, and Administrator

2026 March 12 . 11:02 PM

1 min read

The image shows a red fire truck driving down a street next to a traffic light. There are people... — The image shows a red fire truck driving down a street next to a traffic light. There are people sitting in the truck, and a person riding a bike on the right side of the road. In the background, there are trees, buildings, and the sky.

Emergency Vehicles Collide in Papenburg - Seriously Injured - Ambulance and fire truck collide in Papenburg, leaving five injured

A serious collision between an ambulance and a fire truck occurred in Papenburg on Thursday afternoon. The crash at the intersection of Rheiderlandstraße and Bethlehem Street left five people injured, three of them severely.

The ambulance was travelling along Rheiderlandstraße with its lights and sirens activated. As it approached the junction, it passed through a red light. At the same time, the fire truck, coming from the right on Bethlehem Street, entered the intersection on a green signal.

The impact caused severe injuries to a 34-year-old emergency doctor and a 50-year-old paramedic inside the ambulance. A 41-year-old patient, already in critical condition before the crash, was also among those hurt. The ambulance driver, a 25-year-old woman, and the 40-year-old fire truck driver sustained minor injuries.

All five individuals were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment. Emergency services responded quickly to the scene to manage the aftermath of the collision.

The incident remains under investigation by local authorities. Those injured—including two medical professionals, a patient, and two drivers—are receiving hospital care. The crash has raised concerns about emergency vehicle safety at busy intersections.