Overview
- The tribunal in Pau convicted SNCF for involuntary injuries and on Friday ordered criminal fines totaling €128,250 while acquitting RFF (now SNCF Réseau).
- Investigators found the immediate cause was a false green signal triggered by exposed wires chewed by rodents inside a Lescar signal hut, which sent a TER into motion before it hit a passing TGV.
- The court said the owner was legally detached from day-to-day upkeep and held SNCF responsible for maintenance of the defective hut and electrical installation.
- SNCF has already paid roughly €950,000 in settlements to victims and faces a broken-down fine schedule that includes €120,000 for the gravely hurt passenger and smaller amounts for other counts, and the company says it may appeal.
- Prosecutors used the trial to condemn what they called insufficient safety spending, and the ruling is likely to focus future attention on maintenance funding, inspection practices and any changes that follow an appeal.