A high-speed train struck a van on the tracks in Saint-Romain-en-Gier, France, at 7:15 a.m. local time, but remarkably, no one was injured. The incident, described by a witness as a “very hard” impact, caused importent disruption to rail service between Lyon and Saint-Étienne.
José, a local resident, explained that the van’s driver appeared to lose control on the icy tracks. “There is the gentleman who entered the tracks, and he skated since it was all icy, and he just had time to get out. It hit very hard,” José told M6. The driver reportedly activated the alarm to alert railway personnel after exiting the vehicle.
Emergency services confirmed the train collided with the van at a moderate speed, stopping a short distance further down the line. Despite the driver’s quick actions, the van remained stuck, halting all rail traffic.
Rail Service Disrupted for Hours
The 44 passengers aboard the TGV were unharmed, as was the van’s driver. A local tractor was used to remove the damaged vehicle from the tracks.However, the incident caused a major disruption to rail service, with the line between Saint-Étienne and Lyon entirely blocked for several hours.
Passengers faced lengthy delays. At the Givors station, trains were at a standstill. “There has been no train for three or four hours, it’s a hassle,” one stranded resident told M6. A student named Zohra was delayed almost three hours, jeopardizing her ability to attend an 8:30 a.m. university exam.
The damaged TGV was towed to Rive-de-Gier, where passengers were assisted. Rail traffic gradually resumed around 10 a.m.
What happens when a train hits a vehicle on the tracks? While safety systems are in place, icy conditions and unexpected obstacles can lead to collisions. Quick reactions from drivers and railway personnel are crucial in mitigating potential harm.
