The 85 meter long inland freighter Petershagen collided with the self-propelled tanker LRG 26 on the Rhine River below the castle at Trechingshausen, Germany.   The two vessels were heard exchanging singals before residents heard a loud bang.   The two vessels had collided head-on.   The Petershagen loaded with a cargo of sand suffered water ingress in the bow, but was able reach a nearby dock.  The LRG 26, loaded with 880 tones of caustic soda, sustained severe damage to its bow with extensive flooding.   The tanker’s cargo tanks had remained intact avoiding a toxic mix of pollution reaching the Rhine.    Pumps and pontoons were brought to the tanker to get the water ingress under control.   Reports state the LRG 26 remains at anchor until water can be pumped out and the vessel finds the nearest suitable point to unload its cargo.   The Petershagen discharged some of its cargo, but later reports stated the vessel suffered rudder damage.    No one was injured in the collision.   The cause of the collision has not been released, but the Water Police will be conducting an investigation.