An endless journey… Friday, shortly before 4 p.m., a Ouigo train which linked Paris to Toulouse hit a vehicle at a level crossing located near Marmande (Lot-et-Garonne). No one was inside the vehicle and the accident caused no injuries on board the train, but the collision led to the interruption of train traffic for many hours.
Nearly 900 passengers, who left the capital at 12:33 p.m. and were due to arrive at Toulouse station at 5:33 p.m., remained stuck on the train, which was immobilized for five hours. After “diagnoses” and “tests” carried out by the driver, the train affected by the collision was able to resume its journey to Marmande station, where the passengers were dropped off around 9 p.m. They then waited for almost 2 more hours for a solution to continue their journey.
Several travelers expressed their dissatisfaction on X, deploring a lack of information, food and solutions on board. “Dropped off at Marmande station 1 hour 15 minutes ago, we are waiting in the cold and without information for a solution,” lamented Anna Toumazoff, an influencer on board. “There’s not even any water on board!” », called out another passenger, while a third castigated “travelers kidnapped (…) for hours without any service”.
I’m in a Paris-Toulouse (which should have been 12:33 p.m.-5:33 p.m.) blocked since 3:45 p.m. It’s been 7 hours.
1200 people. Babies, elderly people, & still no supplies.
Deposited at Marmande station 1h15 ago, we wait in the cold and without information for a solution.— Anna Toumazoff (@AnnaToumazoff) November 29, 2024
Bonjour @OUIGO Train 7673 heading to Toulouse has been completely stopped for more than 2 hours in Marmande, and we have been informed of an unplanned train change. What time will we arrive in Toulouse? Will you refund the entire ticket? There’s not even any water on board!
— Jouvett (@jouvettga) November 29, 2024
A train left Marmande
“The SNCF regrets the situation experienced by customers between Langon and Marmande this Friday afternoon,” indicates the railway company, contacted by Le Parisien, which assures that “the SNCF Voyageurs teams whose priority is the care of travelers informed the customers on board the train of the progress of the operations.
A train “specially prepared and supplied with water and meal boxes” was finally able to leave Marmande station around 11 p.m. towards Toulouse, SNCF confirms. And added: “traffic was able to resume on one lane in both directions allowing traffic to flow during the evening”.
According to information from the daily Sud Ouest, the accident occurred at a level crossing. A motorist got involved, despite the signal announcing the arrival of the train and was able to reverse, at the last minute, to avoid it. The front of the vehicle was struck. After the impact, the driver was able to escape from the car, unharmed. He was nevertheless taken care of by the firefighters in a state of shock.