Three Students Killed as Train Hits School Van in Cuddalore
Preliminary inquiry by the railways revealed that while the gatekeeper proceeded to close the gate, the van driver insisted on allowing the vehicle to cross the gate, which should not have been permitted
Chennai: Three students including two siblings were killed and another student and the driver were injured when their school van was hit by a train at a manned level cross in Alapakkam village in Cuddalore district, about 190 km from Chennai, on Tuesday. The Southern Railway suspended the gate keeper even as contradictory reports emerged on the cause of the accident.
The van was attempting to cross the railway gate near Semmankuppam when No. 56813 Villupuram–Mayiladuthurai passenger, traveling towards Chidambaram, struck it. The impact was catastrophic, leaving the van in a mangled state and scattering students’ books and personal belongings across the tracks.
Local residents rushed to the scene of the accident, which took place at 7.45 am, and took the injured to Cuddalore government hospital before the fire and rescue teams arrived. While Sarumathi, 16, and Nimilesh, 12, were killed instantly, Sarumathi’s brother Chezhiyan, 15, succumbed to his injuries at Jipmer hospital in Puducherry.
Cuddalore superintendent of police S. Jeyakumar visited the spot and said the accident occurred due to the negligence of gatekeeper Pankaj Sharma. The police later arrested him.
Van driver Shankar said the railway gate was open at the time of the accident. Local residents and eyewitnesses corroborated Shankar’s statement and alleged the accident was a result of the gatekeeper's negligence, contending he was “sleeping and not closing the railway gate”.
“We took the usual route,” Vishvesh, an injured student now under treatment, said. “The railway gate was open, and there was no signal. We couldn't hear the train until it was too late.”
The Southern Railway, however, contended that gate at the level crossing gate was closed at the time and the keeper opened it at the insistence of the driver who wanted to avoid delay in reaching school. The gatekeeper permitted the crossing in violation of safety protocol and was hence suspended, it said, adding that steps have been initiated to dismiss him from service.
Chief Minister M.K. Stalin announced an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh to the families of the deceased students, Rs 1 lakh for those severely injured and Rs 50,000 for those with minor injuries.
Adding to the tragedy, a nearby individual was electrocuted when a live wire fell due to the collision, highlighting the chaotic aftermath of the event.
