France high-speed rail collides with truck, killing train driver

A French high-speed train crashed into a truck carrying military equipment in northern France on Tuesday, killing the driver of the TGV and critically injuring two people, officials said.The truck driver was taken into police custody after the train, which was travelling from the northern city of Dunkirk to Paris and carrying 243 people, collided with the vehicle at a level crossing in the town of Bully-les-Mines.The impact was so strong that the military vehicle weighing several dozen tonnes that was aboard the truck was sent flying about 10m (33 feet), landing near a private garden.The 56-year-old train driver, described by officials as an experienced professional, died instantly, said local prosecutor Etienne Thieffry.Two people were badly injured, although their lives were not in danger, Thieffry said. Fourteen others sustained less-serious injuries.The collision occurred at 6.48am when the train was moving at an estimated speed of 160km (99 miles) per hour.