One dead as high-speed train hits lorry in France, dozens injured
One dead as high-speed train hits lorry in France, dozens injured
High-speed train collides with a lorry at a level crossing in northern France, killing the driver and injuring more than a dozen as investigators probe the cause.
A high-speed train collided with a lorry at a level crossing in northern France early Tuesday, killing the train driver and injuring more than a dozen others. The crash occurred around 07:00 local time on a stretch between Béthune and Lens in the Pas-de-Calais region. The train was en route from Dunkirk to Paris at around 160 km/h.
The lorry, carrying military equipment, was the vehicle at the center of the collision. The driver is in police custody, and investigators say it is too early to determine the cause. The vehicle belonged to a commercial haulier, and the driver was not a member of the military. The train continued for several hundred metres after impact before coming to a stop.
The train operator's chief executive, Jean Castex, confirmed that the train driver was a 56-year-old long-time employee who died. He said two train staff members on board helped evacuate passengers and that their actions were to be paid tribute. He noted that a lower-speed train had passed the crossing minutes earlier and that there had not been any indication of problems with the barriers.
Witnesses described hearing the train's horn blaring for eight to ten seconds as the crash occurred, and windows rattled in nearby homes. Local authorities said two people initially in critical condition were reported to be doing well, while 13 others sustained minor injuries. The region's president Xavier Bertrand called for support for victims and their families.
The incident has drawn attention to safety at level crossings and the need for ongoing review of crossing barriers and speed management on busy routes. A formal investigation is underway.
