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Wrong train: Woman pulls emergency brake on ICE train and ends up in custody!
In Lüneburg, a woman caused a stir when she pulled the emergency brake on the ICE because she was on the wrong train.
Wrong train: Woman pulls emergency brake on ICE train and ends up in custody!
On Monday night there was a strange and potentially dangerous incident on the ICE train between Lüneburg and Hamburg-Harburg. A 30-year-old woman pulled the emergency brake on the moving train because she said she was on the wrong train. This was a result of an ill-considered decision that could have significant consequences. According to [NDR](https://www.ndr.de/nachrichten/niedersachsen/lueneburg_heide_unterelbe/den-falschen-zug-gehen-frau-zieh-not Bremse-im-ice,aktuelllueneburg-1018.html), the train was moving at around 140 km/h at the time of the action.
The woman not only acted rashly, but also caused harm. She broke two windows with an emergency hammer, which further aggravated the situation. Passers-by and a witness informed the train escort about the incidents, which led to the federal police being on hand at the stop at Hamburg-Harburg station. The woman was arrested there and taken to a federal police station, where she was questioned.
Substitute for understanding decisions
The woman explained that she wanted to get out, but she shouldn't have done that. Pulling the emergency brake is only justified in absolute emergencies, such as if someone gets between the train and the platform or if there is a seriously dangerous situation. The Munich S-Bahn also makes this clear in its information about the emergency brake, saying that such actions are not appropriate in the event of a missed stop or for other irrelevant considerations.
An incident of similar magnitude occurred as recently as September 2025, when a 22-year-old German activated the emergency brake of an ICE train traveling at 280 km/h to force a stop during a ticket inspection. The train had to stop at Ingolstadt main station and the person responsible was handed over to the state police. He had to answer for his dangerous actions, and the investigation included misuse of the emergency brake function and other damage to property, as Presseportal reported.
Such events put both travelers and railway staff in a nerve-wracking situation. The emergency brake is an important safety instrument that can save lives in an emergency. However, using it responsibly should always be a priority and should not be misused carelessly.
The incidents show how important it is to have clear, understandable information about the correct behavior on the train. It remains to be hoped that such misunderstandings can be avoided in the future and that all passengers reach their destination safely.