A metro train overran stop blocks at the De Akkers train station outside Rotterdam, a city in the Netherlands. However, the train was saved from plummeting into the river below by the tail of a plastic whale sculpture. There were no passengers onboard the train and the driver was able to free himself without injury.
“I am amazed that it is so strong. When plastic has stood for 20 years, you don’t expect it to hold up a metro train.”
Maarten Struijs, the artist behind the artwork was greatly surprised that the sculpture had held together. Called ‘Saved by the Whale’s Tail, the artwork was erected in 2002 and made of reinforced polyester.
