On the night of December 24, 2019, the Christmas Eve festivities took a tragic turn for thousands of passengers traveling on TGV trains between Paris and Lyon. A train driver reportedly committed suicide, leading to severe disruptions across the rail system. The incident, which sources indicate was confirmed as suicide, sparked delays of up to five hours for approximately 3,000 travelers.
The unsettling event unfolded around 20h when the driver is believed to have jumped from his moving train. This led to significant backup as passengers on multiple trains found themselves stuck for many hours, with SNCF (the French national rail company) initially describing the situation as stemming from an 'accident involving a person.' It was not until after the fact was confirmed through police investigation and SNCF communications, which detailed the driver’s actions, the gravity of the situation became clear.
The scene quickly transformed from what should have been joyous holiday travel to frustration and anger among passengers. Those on board various TGV trains reported delays ranging from one hour to five hours. "Christmas Eve is a bit ruined," lamented one passenger on social media. Another traveler expressed their dismay by stating, "Great, I am stuck in a TGV, no water, no food. Really, thank you for this Christmas Eve, SNCF." With many travelers losing their connections and having to make alternative arrangements, the atmosphere was charged with discontent.
Timeline specifics revealed some passengers did not arrive at their intended destinations until well past midnight, leaving them to contend with missed holiday celebrations. Reports indicated the SNCF deployed taxis and other services to aid stranded travelers once they finally reached the Gare de Lyon, where many took to expressing their anger at the railway service for the lack of timely communication and appropriate accommodations.
Despite the chaos, SNCF reassured the public and passengers involved by stating, "The safety of the train's passengers was not threatened at any time, nor was the safety of traffic, as the traffic management centre was immediately alerted automatically." This automatic safety protocol activated as soon as the driver left his post, ensuring the train came to a halt without injuring any passengers. This safety feature is known as the Veille Automatique avec Contrôle du Maintien d'Appui (VACMA), which requires drivers to regularly confirm their presence by pressing pedals or buttons at timed intervals. If they fail to do so, the system takes over operations to prevent disaster.
The tragic circumstances surrounding the driver’s suicide ignited discussions about mental health awareness within the transportation sector, something the French railway union voiced concerns over. Bernard Aubin, Secretary General of the First Union, noted the event was unprecedented, stating, "It's horrible, it's a drama for everyone." With increased public focus on worker wellbeing, many are calling for greater support systems within SNCF and similar industries to help prevent future tragedies.
While many travelers sought to process the distressing experience of being trapped en route over the holiday, some attempted to inject humor, echoing sentiments of resilience. "At least we’ll have this unforgettable Christmas tale to tell," quipped one passenger, reflecting the mixed emotions stirred by the traumatic yet uniquely shared experience.
All train services were resumed by Christmas morning, as SNCF worked diligently to mitigate the incident’s disruptive effects. The company also reassured passengers affected by the long delays and who experienced the brunt of the accident were eligible for full refunds of their tickets. Nevertheless, the echoes of the grief surrounding the driver’s demise would linger, marking yet another example of the urgent need for dialogue surrounding mental health, particularly over periods when countless individuals are expected to travel and celebrate with loved ones.