France train crash LIVE: Driver dead and dozens injured in horror high-speed collision
A driver has died and at least 30 people have been injured after a French TGV train collided with a truck on Tuesday morning at a level crossing in Noeux-les-Mines, east of Calais
by Joe Smith · The MirrorA rail crash has left a train driver dead and at least 30 people injured after a high speed train collided with a truck at a level crossing this morning.
The crash occurred at a a level crossing in Noeux-les-Mines, about 50 miles east of Calais, according to French media reports. A TGV train traveling on the Dunkirk-Paris line collided with the trailer of an army truck.
A preliminary report from police sources said the train driver died in the accident. It is now understood that at least 30 people have been injured, including the truck driver.
11:02Joe Smith
Truck was 'part of a special military convoy'
The truck which was hit by a TVG train this morning at a level crossing was was part of a special military convoy transporting a mobile bridge, French news reports.
It was previously reported that the vehicle was an oversized load transporting military equipment when it was struck on a level corssing at Mazingarbe.
10:43Joe Smith
Pictures from the scene
Images from the crash site show emergency crews working to remove a person from the train wreck.
10:28KEY EVENT
Two people critically injured
Two people are in critical condition, while 11 others sustained less serious injuries, according to reports in Le Monde.
Officials previously gave differing estimates including 30 and 27 people injured in the crash.
There were 243 passengers on board the train when it crashed at around 7 am between Béthune and Lens in the Pas-de-Calais region, according to rail operator SNCF.
10:10Joe Smith
Train line disrupted 'until the end of the day'
The operator of the rail line where the crash took place has said that train services will be disrupted until the end of the day.
09:53Joe Smith
More pictures from the scene
All trains are suspended in both directions on the Béthune-Arras line as emergency crews work at the site of the crash.
09:30KEY EVENT
'At least 30 injured'
The mayor of Mazingarbe, where the TGV reportedly derailed after crashing into a truck carrying military equipment, has said that at least 30 people have been injured in the crash.
"There are at least 30 injured," the mayor reportedly said after he went to the scene this morning, franceinfo.fr reports.
French news said 77 firefighters from Bully-les-Mines and surrounding towns had been mobilized to support the rescue.
09:17Joe Smith
Truck had oversized load transporting military equipment
The truck which was hit was carrying an oversized load transporting military equipment, according to reports in the French press.
The crash occurred on a level crossing in Mazingarbe, franceinfo.fr reports, after the trailer of the oversized load became stuck on the level crossing and was struck by the TGV.
The driver of the oversized load is alive, according to French media.
09:13Joe Smith
Where did the crash take place?
Nœux-les-Mines is as town of about 11,000 people in the Pas-de-Calais department in the Hauts-de-France region of France.
09:06Joe Smith
Train passengers evacuated by bus
Buses have been called to help evacuated passengers as rail traffic on the Béthune-Arras line is suspended in both directions.
The train was reportedly carrying around 250 passengers when the crash occured.
08:57KEY EVENT
'All our thoughts are with our colleague who died on the job'
Fabien Villedieu, the Federal Secretary of SUD Rail, posted on X this morning to say: "Following an accident at a level crossing between a TGV and a truck in the HDF region, the train driver has passed away. All our thoughts are with our colleague who died on the job."
08:55Joe Smith
Van driver 'seriously wounded'
The man behind the wheel of the army van which was hit has been left seriously wounded, according to reports.
The TGV train travelling from Dunkirk to Paris when it collided with the army truck, local news reports have said.
08:50Joe Smith
Images show damage to train
Images from the scene of the crash show the damage to the driver's cabin of the TGV train. Emergency workers are at the scene of the collision between the northern towns of Béthune and Lens.
08:43Joe Smith
French Transport Minister heading to the scene
French Transport Minister Philippe Tabaro posted on X saying: !An accident involving a heavy goods vehicle and a TGV occurred this morning between Béthune and Lens.
"I am heading to the scene with the President-Director General of SNCF, Jean Castex."
08:43KEY EVENT
Train carrying 250 passengers derails
The TGV train was carrying approximately 250 passengers when it derailed after the impact, local news reports.
French rail company SNCF have arranged for buses to evacuate passengers as all trains are suspended in both directions on the usually-busy Béthune-Arras line.
The French Minister of Transport, Philippe Tabarot, said he would visit the site of the crash along with the President of the SNCF, Jean Castex. He made the announcement in a post on X (formerly Twitter).