epa05493411 Railroad workers and French police officers clean the rails near Saint-Aunes in the South of France, 17 August 2016. A regional train hit a fallen tree near Saint-Aunes as he made the junction between the cities of Nimes and Montpellier, according to latest reports at least 8 persons were severely injured of the 250 passengers. EPA/GUILLAUME HORCAJUELO GUILLAUME HORCAJUELO
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French train crashes at 140kmh
ONE person has been left fighting for life and another 12 have serious injuries after a train travelling at 140kmh hit a fallen tree near the southern French city of Montpellier.
Another 50 people were treated for minor injuries at the scene. Media agencies reported the train was travelling at its usual speed when it hit the tree, which had been felled by a storm.
The impact caused panic, the Guardian reported, with some passengers believing a terrorist attack was under way. Access to the site is limited, requiring helicopters to bring in emergency workers.
