Two critically hurt among nineteen injured in collision between minibus and train at eurotunnel loading platform

Crash at the loading platform

The minibus was carrying heavy goods vehicle drivers who were heading to board a LeShuttle train. The collision happened at the Eurotunnel site near Calais, according to the Pas-de-Calais prefecture.

A French official told reporters that the vehicle hit the shuttle as it was departing, while its train was stationary. The reason for the collision remained unclear.

Injuries and emergency response

Nineteen people were injured, authorities said. Two people, one of them the minibus driver, were critically hurt and airlifted to the University hospital in Lille. About 200 emergency responders and other personnel went to the scene. An earlier prefecture statement said there were no deaths and no one’s life was considered in danger, while later reporting described two people as critically injured.

Tunnel services resume

Shuttle services through the tunnel were suspended for 90 minutes. They then began returning gradually, with service resuming by late evening, authorities said. The tunnel opened in 1994. It carried 3.4 million vehicles last year, as well as millions of Eurostar passengers.