A train driver has died after his high-speed passenger train collided with a lorry carrying military equipment at a level crossing in France. The collision occurred near Béthune and Lens in the Pas-de-Calais region early Tuesday morning, resulting in critical injuries to two passengers and minor injuries to eleven others. Xavier Bertrand, the President of the region, confirmed the driver's death and expressed condolences on social media. French Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot announced he would visit the scene alongside the head of the state-owned rail operator SNCF. The incident, reported to have happened just before 07:00 local time, has disrupted rail services between Béthune and Lens. The train was on its way from Dunkirk to Paris at the time of the accident. SNCF and rail unions are advocating for transparency regarding the circumstances leading to the collision. Historically, collisions at level crossings in France are rare but pose a significant concern, with 89 incidents recorded in 2024 alone.