Minibus hits stationary train near Channel Tunnel, injuring 19

A minibus carrying truck drivers struck a stationary train at the Channel Tunnel vehicle boarding area in Coquelles, near Calais, on Thursday evening, 15 October, injuring all 19 people aboard the bus. Passenger shuttles were temporarily suspended after the collision on the French side of the tunnel, while freight traffic continued.

Injuries reported after the Coquelles collision

The injured were the minibus driver and 18 passengers. La Voix du Nord identified the train as a freight train and reported that it was stopped during a manoeuvre when the minibus hit it. The BBC placed the collision at 19:27 local time; La Voix du Nord said it happened at about 19:30.

The accounts differ on the number of severe injuries. AFP reported that five people were severely injured, citing a statement from the local prefect that said no one's life appeared to be in danger. The BBC reported that two people were severely injured and evacuated by helicopter, citing a local official. La Voix du Nord reported that the number in the most serious condition had fallen to two by 22:15 and that both were flown to Lille. Other patients were in hospital or still being examined, it said.

La Voix du Nord reported that 55 firefighters, 25 emergency medical personnel, police and about 100 Eurotunnel staff were mobilised. The deputy prefect said psychological support would be arranged in hospitals for injured people, according to the local newspaper. AFP described emergency vehicles and a helicopter at the scene and said the area around the tunnel entrance was sealed off that evening.

Effect on Channel Tunnel services

AFP reported that Getlink passenger shuttles were suspended for an hour and that normal traffic had resumed by a deputy prefect's 20:30 GMT briefing. La Voix du Nord put the passenger interruption at one and a half hours. Both reported that freight traffic continued. Eurostar said its trains were neither involved nor affected and that its services would run as scheduled.

The Boulogne-sur-Mer prosecutors' office told AFP that an investigation had opened on suspicion of unintentional injury. The cause of the collision was not immediately clear.