Reindeer killed in traffic accident in Longyearbyen

Traffic in Longyearbyen is usually quite safe, but Monday evening saw a tragic accident when a car hit a reindeer on way 500. The animal’s back was broken, and the police did accordingly not have a choice but to kill the reindeer on the spot.

There are almost always some reindeer somewhere in Longyearbyen, and they are usually not afraid of people or moving vehicles and they don’t watch out for cars before crossing roads. Drivers therefore have to take great care, especially at times of darkness.

Way 500 is the “main street” between the centre and the river. Most streets in Longyearbyen do not have names but numbers.

Source: Sysselmannen