Absorbed by his mobile phone, a CHU intern is hit by a TER train in Nîmes and dies
A 27-year-old Nîmes University Hospital intern was hit by a TER train in Nîmes, in Gard, Monday September 18, 2023, around 6 p.m. at Saint-Césaire station. Absorbed by his mobile phone, he entered the pedestrian crossing and did not see the ban on crossing the tracks when a TER was arriving from Montpellier.
A young intern at CHU Carémeau was the victim of a tragic fatal accident, Monday September 18, 2023, in Nîmes (Gard), at the Saint-Césaire station.
Aged 27, the young man was struck around 6 p.m. by a TER and died.
The train was traveling at 130 km/h
According to the first elements of the investigation, the victim was monopolized by his mobile phone and entered the lane at the pedestrian crossing despite the active prohibition signs. The first witnesses said that the victim would have been deceived by the departure of a train on the other track. This young man was hit by the TER which was arriving from Montpellier and was traveling at around 130 km/hour.
Seen at the last moment by the driver
The driver saw the pedestrian enter the crossing at the last moment but was unable to avoid the collision. Around ten firefighters responded to the scene of the tragedy. Despite the rapid intervention of emergency services, the victim did not survive his injuries. Four very shocked witnesses were treated by emergency services.
The victim, Léo B. was a pharmacy intern (plant biology) and very involved in student associations in Montpellier and Nîmes. An investigation is underway which should make it possible to determine the circumstances of this accident.
Rail traffic was very disrupted throughout Monday evening. At Nîmes station, the trains were 1 hour to 2 hours late. And the train to Marseille has been canceled.
