A train driver has died after his high-speed passenger train collided with a lorry carrying military equipment at a level crossing in France. The accident, which occurred on Tuesday morning between Béthune and Lens in the north-western Pas-de-Calais region, has resulted in additional injuries, with two people critically hurt and 11 others sustaining minor injuries, as reported by French media.
The region's President, Xavier Bertrand, confirmed the death of the TGV driver and described the accident as a 'terrible tragedy.' He expressed his condolences on social media to the driver's family and loved ones. French Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot announced he was heading to the scene along with the head of France's state-owned rail operator SNCF. According to reports, the collision involved a heavy goods vehicle transporting military equipment.
The incident took place shortly before 07:00 local time (05:00 GMT), and the train was en route from Dunkirk to Paris. The regional rail network, TER Hauts-de-France, stated that train services between Béthune and Lens would be disrupted until mid-morning, with gradual service resumption on certain lines.
SNCF CEO Jean Castex has not yet publicly commented on the incident. Rail union SUD-Rail has called for 'total transparency' regarding the circumstances of the collision, which comes less than two weeks after another fatal incident involving a regional train and a truck in southeastern France.
Collisions at level crossings in France, although relatively uncommon compared to the UK, raised concerns with 89 reported incidents leading to 20 deaths in 2024 alone, compared to six in the UK.
The region's President, Xavier Bertrand, confirmed the death of the TGV driver and described the accident as a 'terrible tragedy.' He expressed his condolences on social media to the driver's family and loved ones. French Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot announced he was heading to the scene along with the head of France's state-owned rail operator SNCF. According to reports, the collision involved a heavy goods vehicle transporting military equipment.
The incident took place shortly before 07:00 local time (05:00 GMT), and the train was en route from Dunkirk to Paris. The regional rail network, TER Hauts-de-France, stated that train services between Béthune and Lens would be disrupted until mid-morning, with gradual service resumption on certain lines.
SNCF CEO Jean Castex has not yet publicly commented on the incident. Rail union SUD-Rail has called for 'total transparency' regarding the circumstances of the collision, which comes less than two weeks after another fatal incident involving a regional train and a truck in southeastern France.
Collisions at level crossings in France, although relatively uncommon compared to the UK, raised concerns with 89 reported incidents leading to 20 deaths in 2024 alone, compared to six in the UK.
