Train ploughs into school bus in Southern France killing four students
Friday, December 15th, 2017 1:31:24 by fatimaarshadA train crashed into a school bus at a crossing in southern France, resulting in the death of at least four children and injury of more than 20 others.
The incident took place on Thursday as children were returning home from school. Most of the victims were between the ages of 13 and 17-years of age.
The collision was so severe that the bus was actually split in half. Authorities are describing it as a ‘serious rail accident’. Helicopters were seen taking the injured to the hospital.
The school bus was 12 miles (20km) west of Perpignan, in the Pyrénées-Orientales, heading towards the village of Villefranche-de-Conflent when it was hit. It was carrying pupils from the Christian Bourquin secondary school at Millas heading home to two villages, Saint Féliu d’Amont and Saint Féliu d’Avall.
The mayor of Saint Féliu d’Amont, Robert Olive, who went to the scene, said he was “deeply shocked”. He described it as a “horrific sight”.
“I don’t know what happened, but the school bus had been actually cut in two by the passing train,” Olive told the local radio France Bleu Roussillon. “The bus appeared to have exploded. People were being very dignified but everyone was shocked.”
It was reported that 24 people had been caught in the collision, out of which four had died, 11 were in critical condition while nine were badly injured.
The Prime Minister of France, Edouard Philippe, also visited the site of the crash and described the accident as a ‘terrible drama’. He said that all resources will be employed to determine the cause of the crash. It was also being ensured that the victims’ families are being provided all the information and support.
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