From BBC News · · 1m 20s
A piece of rail on the track, and 44 hurt
A train left Rouen for Caen and ended up on its side, and prosecutors now suspect someone put it there.
In brief
A train left Rouen for Caen and ended up on its side, and prosecutors now suspect someone put it there. Investigators have not confirmed sabotage, but the working theory is that a piece of rail was lying on the track and nobody knows how it got there. Originally reported by BBC News.
A derailment under suspicion
Officials in northern France are looking into whether Friday evening's passenger train derailment was caused deliberately.
A rail on the track
Prosecutor Sébastien Gallois said the leading theory is that a piece of rail was sitting on one of the tracks. How it got there is unknown.
“The reason for its presence is unknown”
186 on board, 44 hurt
Local media put 186 passengers on the Rouen to Caen service. Forty-four were treated, and an 18-year-old woman was airlifted in a critical condition.
Jolts, then glass
Passenger Louis told ICI Normandie the shaking built over about three seconds until he could not stay in his seat.
“The windows partially shattered, the stones from the track came into the carriage.”
Black box seized
Investigators have taken the train's data recorder, lined up interviews and called in a court-appointed expert. The driver tested negative for drugs and alcohol.
The critical patient stabilises
Gallois said the main victim remains in hospital but is no longer in danger. The others have been discharged or are close to it.
“her life is no longer in danger”
What it means
Investigators have not confirmed sabotage, but the working theory is that a piece of rail was lying on the track and nobody knows how it got there.
