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Women killed in train mishap were on picnic

21-year-old Navy cadet loses a leg in Duronto accident
Hyderabad: It was a tragic end to the three-day picnic that a group of 22 employees of a city firm had planned. Two of the picnickers — Ram Laxmi (Jyoti), 38, and B. Pushpa Latha, 28, — employees of Rajdeep Associates at Dullapally, a batteries distributor, died when the Duronto Express derailed in Karnataka early on Saturday.
“My younger sister was going for a picnic along with other employees of her company. Her two sons and I had seen her off on Friday evening,” said Vijay Kumar, who was returning from the accident site. “Today at 5.30 am I received a call about the accident.”
Her husband works in MP. Ram Laxmi was a stores in-charge at the company which distributes batteries. The mishap threatens to cut short the career of 21-year-old Indian Navy cadet Abdul Ashraf who lost a leg in the tragedy. Ashraf’s condition is stated to be serious. Most of the victims were travelling in Coach B8 which was completely crushed.
B. Manikya Reddy, 65, and B. Yadamma, 60, from Begumpet woke up to blood and screams when the train derailed.
“They are in a state of shock. They were scared thinking that everyone around was dead. They have suffered minor injuries,” said Ms B. Sumatamma, daughter of the couple.
“The rescue team took a lot of time to reach the spot. There were a number of local people, but nobody came to help,” said Hitesh Javail from Hyderabad.
Eight coaches in centre derailed
Nine coaches of the superfast Duronto Express travelling from Hyderabad to Mumbai derailed and one coach was partially crushed. The first seven coaches from the engine were safe while eight coaches in the middle of the train — the pantry car, coaches HA1, A1, A2, A3, B7, B8, and B9 — derailed. The rest of the coaches in the rear of the train were safe.
According to eyewitnesses, two coaches, B7 and B8, were dragged for a distance of about 500 metres after derailment.
While there is no clarity on the reason for the derailment, the police ruled out sabotage after preliminary investigations. An inquiry by the commissioner of railway safety has been ordered.
A portion of the track, which gave way, was repaired to restore traffic on the high-density route, officials said.
Railway board chairman A.K. Mital along with senior officials rushed to the spot. Railway minister Suresh Prabhu announced enhanced ex gratia of
Rs 2 lakh to the kin of the deceased, Rs 50,000 to those who were grievously injured and Rs 25,000 for those who suffered simple injuries.
Mr Prabhu termed the derailment "saddening". The minister had tweeted early in the day, “Saddened by Duronto accident. Ordered inquiry. Immediate medical relief and other assistance rushed. Chairman of the railway board has been asked to rush to the spot.”
( Source : deccan chronicle )
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