Tamil: A passenger train collided with a school van in Sembankuppam, killed at least two children and left three people critically injured. The incident occurred around 7:40 am, said a police officer.
The Cuddalore Superintendent of Police SP Jayakumar said two students died in the accident, while two bus students and bus were injured. “Rail police, railway authorities and state police are conducting further investigation.”
“One of them died on the spot while the other in the hospital. The driver is treated. The reason behind it will be known after the investigation,” he added.
A railway relief train with a medical relief supply was sent to the site. There were also a divisional railway manager (DRM) and branches officers. Officials of safety, operation and engineering are investigating this case, Hindu reported.
How did the incident happen?
The school van tried to cross the railway temporary gate No. 170, which is located between Cuddalore and Alappakkam, when it was hit by train No. 56813, added Villupuram – Mayiladuthurai passenger train.
She also shared a video from the place and showed several police officers present, standing on railway lines and around. The officers seem to evaluate the situation and drive the crowd. On the spot, work on the renewal of the Sembankuppam railway crossing is carried out.
Meanwhile, eyewitnesses said that the guard had fell asleep and neglected the gate. In response to the incident, the angry crowd attacked the guard, added the news.
Between Cuddalore and Alappakkam, the guard was suspended at the railway level. At the insistence of a school bus driver, he opened the railway gate. The formal process began to remove it from the service when considering established procedures. Indian railways will provide ex-Gratia quantity £5 lakh on other relatives of the deceased and £50 000 to those who were injured, the southern railway said.
(Tagstotranslate) Railway level crossing
