French authorities have launched an investigation after a minibus carrying heavy goods vehicle drivers collided with a departing LeShuttle train at the Eurotunnel terminal in Coquelles, injuring 19 people. The accident occurred on Thursday night (October 15).
Collision at the loading platform
According to local officials, the cause of the incident is yet to be determined. A local official told reporters that the minibus appeared to have collided with the departing train on the loading platform.
The Pas-de-Calais prefecture said in a statement: “An accident involving a minibus carrying heavy goods vehicle drivers, headed to board a LeShuttle train, occurred this evening at the loading platform of the Eurotunnel site.
“Significant resources were immediately deployed by Eurotunnel, and subsequently placed under the authority of the Prefect of the Pas-de-Calais department.
“Early reports suggest that 19 people were involved, including the driver. At this stage, there are no fatalities, and no one’s life is considered to be in danger.”
Injured taken to hospitals
The subprefect for the Pas-de-Calais region, Agathe Cury, attended the scene on Thursday night. Speaking to reporters, she confirmed that two of the injured were taken to the Hospital Centre University De Lille to get ‘appropriate care’. Other people injured in the accident were taken to hospitals in Boulogne, Dunkirk, and Rang-Du-Fliers for ‘check-ups’.
Ms Cury stated: “Two trains were on either side of the platform.
“One was being loaded by heavy goods vehicles ahead of a cross-Channel journey, and another train that had previously been loaded was departing. For a reason that currently remains unknown, the minibus collided with the departing train.
“The bus did not overturn, it is still upright – but the shock and the collision caused injuries to the people involved.”
First accident of its kind
Ms Cury also confirmed that the HGV drivers were being carried by the minibus to their dedicated passenger space inside the LeShuttle train. The train was still being loaded when the collision occurred.
“There were various nationalities and the relevant consulates have been informed. It is the first time an accident on a loading platform of this type has occurred.
“This is why we immediately deployed the resources necessary to respond to this incident as quickly as possible,” Ms Cury added.
With it unclear whether any British nationals are among the injured, medical helicopters were deployed to transport the injured. This resulted in a delay in traffic for Eurotunnel passengers.
“The freight train traffic was not interrupted, the Eurostar traffic was not interrupted. The passenger traffic was suspended for an hour and a half while helicopters dealt with the injured,” Ms Curry said, before confirming a judicial investigation has been launched into the circumstances of the incident.
Response and statements
55 firefighters, 25 emergency medical personnel, 20 officers from the French National Police and 100 Eurotunnel employees were involved in the response to the incident, according to Getlink, which operates the Channel Tunnel.
Eurostar said in a status update: “An incident occurred several kilometres away from the Channel Tunnel. This incident does not involve or impact Eurostar trains running from and to London. All of Eurostar trains will run as expected.”
A separate statement from GetLink said: “Following the incident that occurred yesterday evening at our Coquelles terminal, all Eurotunnel employees wish to express their shock and support for those injured, including one of their colleagues, as well as their families and loved ones.
“This event has deeply affected all our colleagues. It is the first of its kind to occur on the Eurotunnel site since the start of its operations 32 years ago.”
A spokesperson for the Foreign Office stated: “We are following reports of a collision on the French side of the Eurotunnel. Our thoughts are with all those impacted. We stand ready to provide consular assistance to any British Nationals involved.”
