A train driver has died and 13 people have been injured, two critically, following a collision between a high-speed TGV train and a lorry at a level crossing in northern France.
The incident occurred this morning (Tuesday 7 April) on the line between Béthune and Lens, in the Pas-de-Calais region, when a TGV service travelling from Dunkirk to Paris struck a heavy goods vehicle reportedly carrying military equipment.
Emergency services attended the scene shortly after the collision, which is understood to have taken place just before 07:00 local time. In addition to the driver’s death, two people have been critically injured and a further 11 sustained minor injuries.
Regional President Xavier Bertrand described the incident as a “terrible tragedy”, paying tribute to the driver and expressing his condolences to family, colleagues, and the wider railway community.
French Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot confirmed he was travelling to the site alongside senior representatives from SNCF, as investigations into the circumstances of the collision begin.
Early reports indicate the train collided with a road vehicle at a level crossing, though the precise sequence of events has yet to be confirmed. Rail union SUD-Rail has called for full transparency as enquiries progress.
Services in the area were significantly disrupted in the immediate aftermath, with regional operator TER Hauts-de-France confirming that traffic between Béthune and Lens would be suspended until mid-morning before gradually resuming.
While such incidents remain relatively uncommon, level crossing collisions continue to present a persistent risk on parts of the European rail network. In France, dozens of such incidents are recorded each year, underlining the importance of ongoing vigilance, infrastructure improvement, and public awareness.
This latest accident underlines the risks faced by those working on and around the railway
Image credit: iStockphoto.com/olrat
