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Train ploughs into tractor in northern France

Ben McPartland
Ben McPartland - [email protected]
Train ploughs into tractor in northern France
The village of Auby in northern France is highlighted. Image: Google Maps

A train travelling through northern France on Tuesday smashed into a trailer attached to a tractor after it had become stuck on a level crossing. Thankfully the latest accident on Europe’s rail network saw most passengers escape unhurt.

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Europe witnessed another accident on its railways on Tuesday, albeit of a far less serious nature, when a regional TER train, carrying almost 130 passengers, between Douai and Lille in northern France smashed into the trailer of a tractor.

The driver of the tractor had become stranded on a level crossing just before 10am, near the town of Auby, when the trailer he was pulling became stuck between the rails of the track.

The man tried to raise the alert but with a train just short distance away it proved too late.

According to the regional La Voix du Nord newspaper the train ploughed into the trailer, which was full of rubble, knocking it off the track.

Thankfully the freak accident did not lead to any fatalities, with only eight people left with minor injuries, five of whom were taken to hospital.

However with fatal train crashes in France, Spain and Switzerland in recent days, passengers will no doubt have been left in shock by the incident.

SNCF were forced to suspend rail traffic on the line and provide a bus replacement service between Douai and Lille, while workers cleared up rubble and debris on the line.

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