On the evening of January 24, 2025, a horrific accident occurred at the Saint-Hilaire-du-Rosier train station in Isère, France, involving a six-year-old girl from Haute-Savoie. While attempting to exit the TER train traveling from Annecy to Valence, the young girl found herself trapped between the train and the platform as the train unexpectedly began to move. Tragically, her left foot was caught, leading to severe injuries requiring amputation of part of her ankle.
The family was traveling together; the girl was accompanied by her 14-year-old brother and their mother. According to the initial investigation details provided by Hugues Opsommer, captain of the Saint-Marcellin gendarmerie, the incident occurred when the girl was getting off the train. With her foot wedged between the train and the platform, she was unable to free herself before the train departed, resulting in catastrophic injuries.
Emergency services quickly responded to the scene, and the child was airlifted to CHU Grenoble-Alpes for urgent medical treatment. The girl's injuries were severe, consisting of significant trauma to her ankle, and she initially suffered from an open fracture. Due to the extent of her injuries, surgical teams decided to perform an amputation at the knee.
Two separate investigations have been initiated to understand the circumstances surrounding this tragedy. The gendarmerie is working with the SNCF to gather information about what led to this incident. The train involved, designated as TER number 17534, has been secured at Chambéry for technical analysis. Grenoble’s deputy prosecutor, François Touret de Coucy, confirmed on Saturday afternoon the commencement of thorough examinations on the train.
Interestingly, there were no surveillance cameras located at the station of Saint-Hilaire-du-Rosier, making it more challenging for investigators to piece together the sequence of events. They have appealed for witnesses, particularly two passengers who had engaged with emergency responders but left without providing their contact details. Anyone who may have information are urged to contact the Saint-Marcellin gendarmerie at 04 76 38 00 17.
The SNCF expressed deep sorrow over the incident, assuring full cooperation with the investigation. Their statement reflected the pressing need to grasp how such circumstances unfolded, with promises to dedicate personnel to assist authorities. This incident has shaken the local community and the girl’s family, with the young girl’s brother being particularly affected. Local mayor Sylvain Belle confirmed the emotional toll on the girl’s family, stating, "Her mother was truly stunned and shocked by what happened. We’re all deeply touched by the situation." Belle praised the emergency response, detailing how every effort was made to take care of the girl as soon as possible.
Reports have indicated the mother made a mistake concerning their intended disembarkation point. Originally planning to exit at Romans-sur-Isère, she inadvertently disembarked at Saint-Hilaire-du-Rosier. The misunderstanding led to confusion as the train’s controller believed no passengers were remaining onboard. This compounding miscommunication escalated the situation dramatically, leading to the dreadful outcomes of the accident.
Witnesses have stated it could have been luck or fate—a terrible coincidence—that led to the young girl's predicament. The boy tried desperately to help his sister once he noticed the train was moving, but unfortunately, he was too late to prevent injury.
Local families have been left shaken, grappling with the ramifications of the incident. The broader community now seeks to support the victim’s family as they navigate this terrible ordeal. Investigations continue to progress, and the search for clarity persists as they try to determine how such drastic circumstances could arise from what was meant to be just another train ride.
Authorities urge anyone with relevant information to come forward to help illuminate the sequence of events leading to this tragedy. Beyond focusing on the immediate recovery and support for the affected family, the incident raises safety concerns surrounding train disembarkation procedures and regulations.
This heartbreaking case has not only captured the attention of the local populace but has also set the stage for potential reviews of existing safety measures at stations like Saint-Hilaire-du-Rosier.