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Fatal crash between train and lorry in Pas-de-Calais
A high-speed passenger train struck a lorry carrying military equipment at a level crossing in northern France early Tuesday, killing the 56-year-old train driver and injuring 15 others, authorities said.
Collision details
The incident occurred shortly before 07:00 local time (05:00 GMT) between Béthune and Lens in the Pas-de-Calais region. The train, traveling from Dunkirk to Paris at an estimated 160 km/h (99 mph), collided with the lorry before coming to a halt several hundred meters beyond the crossing.
A local resident, identified only as Max, told regional newspaper La Voix du Nord that the train's horn sounded for eight to ten seconds before impact. The force of the crash rattled windows in homes 500 meters away.
Casualties and response
Two passengers initially reported in critical condition were later described as "doing well" by local officials. Thirteen others sustained minor injuries, including broken noses and head trauma, according to witnesses.
Jean Castex, CEO of France's state-owned rail operator SNCF, confirmed the driver's death at a news conference. "My first thoughts go to his family, his loved ones, and colleagues," he said. Castex, a former French prime minister, also praised the two train staff members who assisted passengers after the crash.
Investigation and rail disruptions
The lorry driver, a civilian employee of a commercial haulier, remains in police custody. Authorities have launched an investigation into potential aggravated manslaughter but said it was too early to determine the cause.
Castex stated there were no indications of malfunctioning barriers at the crossing, noting that a slower train had passed through minutes earlier without incident. Regional President Xavier Bertrand called the event a "terrible tragedy."
Direct rail services between Béthune and Lens have been suspended until Thursday, with trains rerouted. Other regional lines are resuming with significant delays. Rail union SUD-Rail has demanded "total transparency" in the investigation.
Broader context
The collision follows a similar fatal incident in France's Var region less than two weeks ago, when a regional train struck a truck. While rare, level-crossing collisions are more frequent in France than in the UK. Official figures show 89 incidents in France in 2024, resulting in 20 deaths, compared to six in the UK.
Annual collisions in France exceeded 100 in 2021, 2022, and 2023, according to government data.
