The collision between a regional train, connecting Latour-de-Carol and Toulouse, and a car at a level crossing near the town of Varilhes in Ariège resulted in the death of the motorist. The 25 passengers and driver of the train, safe and sound but “shocked” according to the firefighters, were evacuated.
A collision between a TER and a car caused the death of the driver of the vehicle on Tuesday, near the town of Varilhes, in Ariège, firefighters reported. The accident occurred shortly after 2 p.m. on the SNCF line connecting Latour-de-Carol, near the Spanish border, to Toulouse, according to the same source, specifying that the collision did not cause any other victim among the occupants of the train, i.e. 25 passengers and the driver.
They are “shocked” and their “evacuation is currently in progress”, underline the firefighters. They will “continue their journey with an SNCF bus”, they added. “Traffic will finally remain interrupted until the end of the day between Pamiers and Latour-de-Carol”, indicated in a tweet the SNCF, referring to an “accident at a level crossing” on its website.
Technicians dispatched to secure the way
The prefecture of Ariège has said more about the circumstances of the tragedy. “Today at 2:16 p.m., a TER train hit a light vehicle on SNCF level crossing No. 57 located on the RD 12 at Varilhes in Ariège in the direction of Toulouse. SNCF technicians are on the scene to secure the way”, traced the institution in a first tweet.
The prefect on the scene
The prefecture further underlined the establishment of “substitution shuttles” between Pamiers and Foix pending the resumption of rail traffic.
The prefecture of Ariège has finally decided “to activate a crisis unit”, announcing in addition the displacement of the prefect, Sylvie Feucher, on the spot.
