A tragic accident took place in Tamil Nadu, where three students lost their lives. On Tuesday morning a train hit a bus while crossing Railway tracks in Cuddalore city, Tamil Nadu.
Other student injured and bus driver injured, they were taken to Cuddalore Government Hospital for treatment.
According to reports, the bus accident took place at around 7:45 am on July 8, when the bus attempt to cross Railway Level Crossing Gate number 170. The bus was hit by 56813 Villupuram–Mayiladuthurai passenger train.
According to Southern Railways, the railway crossing used by the bus is a non-interlocked gate located between Cuddalore and Alappakkam.
They stated that while the gatekeeper was in the process of closing the gate, the bus driver insisted on crossing, which should not have been allowed. However, one of the injured students claimed that the gate was already open at the time of the incident, as reported by news agency PTI.
The student who survived the accident reportedly told a TV channel, “Neither was the gate closed, nor was there any signal”. “The gate was open, there was no train horn (blaring). So the driver proceeded and suddenly the train came and the accident happened,” he added.
The bus reportedly carrying five students, three of them died and two injured. Police have launched an investigation into the incident, focusing on a possible safety lapse.
The Gate keeper has been suspended and arrested. A criminal negligence has filed against the gatekeeper.
A railway relief train equipped with medical aid was dispatched to the accident site, and injured students were promptly taken to the hospital for treatment.
The Railways has announced compensation of ₹5 lakh for the families of those who lost their lives, ₹2.5 lakh for those seriously injured, and ₹50,000 for individuals with minor injuries.
