Alcorcón is shrouded in silence and mourning: flags on municipal buildings have been lowered to half-mast, and residents do not hide their tears. The city is saying goodbye to Pablo B., a 27-year-old train driver and passionate photographer who died in the railway accident near Adamuz (Córdoba). On that fateful evening, he was at the helm of an Alvia train and was unable to prevent a collision with Iryo carriages that had derailed and were heading toward him. Five years driving locomotives, thousands of kilometers of track—and it all ended in an instant.
Pablo was more than just a train driver. He was known for his bright smile and his ability to find beauty in the smallest details. On social media, he shared photos of nature: mountains, birds, flowers, butterflies—everything that caught his camera’s eye. Photography became not just a hobby, but a true passion, sparked by a childhood dream of owning a DSLR. He didn’t get his first camera right away, but that Christmas gift changed his life.
A Path to His Profession
Pablo’s route to the railway was no less remarkable. First, he graduated from a local school, then earned a computer engineering degree at Universidad Carlos III de Madrid. There, he delved into computer architecture, cybersecurity, and programming languages. But his love for trains prevailed: Pablo trained at CETREN—the first private center accredited by the State Railway Safety Agency. That’s where he got his locomotive engineer license and began his career on Spain’s railways.
Colleagues remember him as someone who was always ready to help, never shied away from challenges, and treated his work with respect. In his free time, he was inseparable from his camera, experimenting with angles and lighting, learning from video tutorials and articles, and never afraid to try something new. His photos were more than just images—they were attempts to capture fleeting moments of life, filling them with meaning and emotion.
City in Mourning
On Monday, Alcorcón paused for five minutes as residents, city officials, and friends of Pablo gathered in the main square to honor the memory of those lost in the tragedy. The city declared two days of mourning, and the municipal council is expected to adopt an official statement in support of Pablo’s family and all those affected.
City authorities have not hidden their pain and solidarity. An official statement expressed deep condolences and readiness to provide any assistance to the family of the deceased. For Alcorcón, this loss is personal: Pablo was more than just a resident—he inspired those around him with his approach to life and work.
Remembering and Supporting
Neighbors and friends recall Pablo as someone who always found time for others, who knew how to listen and offer support. His photographs still decorate the walls of local cafés and schools, and social media is filled with hundreds of heartfelt messages and stories. For many, he became an example of how to combine professionalism and creativity without losing one’s humanity.
The railway tragedy in Adamuz shook not only Alcorcón but all of Spain. Life in the city goes on, but people here will always remember the young train driver and photographer who left too soon. His story is a reminder of life’s fragility and the importance of cherishing every moment.
