A 56-year-old train driver died Tuesday morning when his high-speed train, traveling at approximately 160km/h (99mph), struck a lorry at a level crossing in northern France. The collision occurred shortly before 7:00 a.m. local time between the towns of Béthune and Lens.
The train, which was en route from Dunkirk to Paris, continued for several hundred meters before coming to a full stop. Local authorities reported that 13 people sustained minor injuries in the crash, while two others initially feared to be in critical condition are now recovering well.
Jean Castex, CEO of the state-owned rail operator and a former French prime minister, confirmed the driver’s death at a press conference. He praised the two on-board rail staff members who assisted passengers following the impact. "My first thoughts go to his family, his loved ones and colleagues," Castex said.
Investigation into the crash
The lorry involved in the accident was a commercial vehicle transporting military equipment. The driver, who was not a member of the military, has been taken into police custody as officials open an investigation into potential aggravated manslaughter.
Authorities have yet to determine the exact cause of the crash. Castex noted that there were no immediate indications of equipment failure at the level crossing, adding that a slower train had successfully passed through the same junction only minutes earlier.
Witnesses near the site described a harrowing scene. One local resident, identified as Max, told the regional newspaper La Voix du Nord that he heard the train’s horn blaring for nearly ten seconds before the impact, which was powerful enough to rattle windows in his home located 500 meters away.
Passengers on board described a chaotic aftermath. Eliot, a commuter traveling to Paris, told reporters that some passengers suffered broken noses and head injuries as the train came to an abrupt halt.
Rail union SUD-Rail has requested full transparency regarding the investigation. Meanwhile, the regional rail network, TER Hauts-de-France, has suspended direct services between Béthune and Lens until Thursday, with other lines experiencing significant delays.
This incident follows a similar fatal collision less than two weeks ago in the Var region of southeastern France. Official data indicates that while level crossing accidents remain relatively rare, France recorded 89 such incidents in 2024, resulting in 20 deaths.
