French Train Hits Tree That Fell Across Track Going 85 MPH

An intercity train traveling 85 mph hit a fallen tree near the southern French city of Montpellier on Wednesday, seriously injuring eight people.

The train was traveling at the usual speed for the stretch of track near the village of Saint-Aunes, Reuters reported a spokesman for the state rail company as saying.

"Emergency services took care of the hurt. One person in a critical condition was evacuated by helicopter."

Paramedics treated 50 other passengers at the scene for minor injuries and shock, said a local emergency services spokesman who earlier put the toll of badly hurt at 13.

The tree fell across the tracks after a heavy hail storm. Photos on social media showed the crumpled front of the train as well as the inside of a carriage strewn with debris. Reuters could not independently verify the images.

About 200 passengers were aboard the train when the accident occurred around 3:45 p.m. local time.