On the night of 15 to 16 June, at 3.30 a.m., a road accident occurred on a level crossing located on the railway line between Charleville-Mézières and Hirson. A heavy goods vehicle (HGV) carrying a boat was immobilised for reasons yet to be determined on the level crossing and was hit by a freight train. It was carrying dangerous goods (phosphoric acid).
Please find by clicking here the press release from SNCF Réseau (in French), as well as below translated by us:
Road accident between an exceptional convoy and a train at Rumigny in the Ardennes.
Last night, at 3.30 am, a road accident occurred on a level crossing located on the railway line between Charleville-Mézières and Hirson. A heavy goods vehicle, a "special road convoy" transporting a boat, was immobilised on the level crossing for reasons yet to be determined and was hit by a freight train belonging to the railway company Europorte (Getlink Group). It was carrying dangerous goods (phosphoric acid). The train consisted of 12 wagons. 7 wagons derailed and leaks were found on 3 wagons. They are currently being treated by the fire brigade.
There is no known specific risk at this level crossing. The gendarmerie has opened an investigation, as has SNCF Réseau. It will be necessary to determine whether the lorry complied with the traffic conditions imposed on it at this level crossing, given the size of its gauge and the characteristics of its load.
Substitution buses have been put in place to ensure passenger traffic between Charleville-Mézières and Hirson and alternative routes have been set up for goods trains.
This accident caused minor injuries to the driver of the train and an SNCF Réseau employee, and extensive damage to the railway infrastructure, tracks, various installations and catenaries.
Work to repair the tracks cannot begin until the derailed wagons have been cleared, for a period of at least 15 days.
SNCF Réseau teams are on site to facilitate the action of the emergency services, carry out the initial assessment and prepare the repair work. The SNCF Group teams (SNCF Réseau and TER) are fully mobilised to restore traffic as soon as possible.
The Prefect of the Ardennes has also issued 3 press releases, please find them below (In French, not translated):
RFC North Sea - Med will help in the ICM process in close cooperation with SNCF Réseau and all its concerned Infrastructure Managers and stakeholders, where needed and possible.
