France derailment injures 44 on train carrying 186 passengers

A train carrying 186 passengers derailed in Cleon in northern France at about 8 p.m. Friday while operating between Rouen and Caen in Normandy. Forty-four people were injured, including a woman who was flown to Rouen University Hospital in critical condition.

Gallois said the main victim remained in hospital but her life was no longer in danger. He said the other victims had received care and treatment and had either been discharged or were about to leave.

Prosecutor Sébastien Gallois said Saturday that investigators' leading theory involved a piece of rail on one of the tracks that potentially caused the derailment. He said the reason it was there remained unknown.

Gallois said the train's recording device had been taken, several interviews were scheduled and a court-appointed expert had been called in.