Kochi: Three youths, returning after attending the marriage party of their friend, were killed when they were run over by a MEMU train in the wee hours of Sunday at Aroor.
The deceased were identified as Jibin Varghese (24), a resident of Kizhakkeveki-kakate, Aroor, Lidhin Joseph (23), also a resident of Aroor but staying at a rented house at Kumaranasan Nagar, Gandhi Nagar, for the past over a year, and Milan Antony (22), a resident of Natha Nagar, Kadavanthra.
According to cops, the youths had gone to attend a marriage party at the house of their common friend near Aroor Ammaneyam Temple.
“They returned around 12 midnight and were walking through the railway tracks to reach the other side. The section had a curve and hence they couldn’t see the train. Also the sound was less as it was MEMU service from Kollam to Ernakulam,” police said.
Meanwhile, there were reports that the youths were under the influence of alcohol and as such didn’t notice the train approaching.
“We’re probing this angle too and a case under Section 174 CrPC has been registered," police said.
Aroor is a mishap-prone rail section where rail hits used to be reported frequently. In September 2012, five people were killed when their car was hit by the Hapa-Tirunelveli Express at an unmanned level crossing there.
“We’ve converted all such unmanned LCs into manned ones last year itself. We’re also holding awareness campaigns urging people not to trespass into railway tracks from time to time,” a railway spokesperson said.
