Great Western Coffee Shop

Yet another collision at a level crossing in France this morning. Initial reports (https://actu.fr/hauts-de-france/bailleul-sir-berthoult_62073/pres-darras-un-train-percute-un-vehicule-de-larmee-trois-militaires-sont-decedes_62382859.html) say that a TGV struck a vehicle (perhaps a bus) carrying soldiers, two of whom were killed. This was at crossing 85 on the line between Arras and Lens, at the D49 from Thélus to Bailleul-Sir-Berthoult. Why the TGV was on that line, and where it was going, I don't yet know.

Newer reports correct that to a TER not a TGV, and the vehicle was a car with one other occupant who is seriously injured. This was a very violent collision, with the vehicle thrown forward against a house and then a steel stanchion.

Further news updates tonight, from official sources so they story should be correct now. The vehicle was a Ford explorer belonging to the army, but used for a driving lesson. Both student and instructor, serving with the 41st signals regiment of Douai, were killed; there was no other injured passenger. Four of the 100 or so passengers on the train were taken to hospital, none seriously injured.

The driver is reported to have said he saw the car stopped on the crossing, others say it was there before the barriers came down.