Train-Truck Crash in France: Driver Killed, Injuries Reported

0:00It's April 7th. This is Global News Today, your AI-powered source for world news. A high-speed passenger train slammed into a lorry loaded with military gear at a level crossing in northern France, killing the train driver on Tuesday morning. The crash happened just before 7 a.m. local time between Bethune and Lenz in the Pas de Calais region, with the train heading from Dunkirk to Paris. Two people remain critically injured and 11 others got minor injuries, according to French media reports. Regional President Xavier Bertrand called it a terrible tragedy, sending thoughts to the driver's family and rail staff, while transport minister, Philippe Taborat rushed to the scene with the head of state rail operator, SNCF. Rail services face disruptions until mid-morning, a union demanded full transparency, and this follows another deadly train truck crash, two weeks. A go-level crossing collisions hit 89 times in France this year alone, causing 20 deaths, way more common than in places like the UK.

1:01Stats like that highlight why safety upgrades can't wait, as investigators dig into what went wrong here.