Gorakhpur train mishap toll reaches 13, injured 45

GORAKHPUR: The death toll in the Krishak Express- Barauni Express mishap near Gorakhpur late on Tuesday night has risen to 13. The number of injured has been put as 45 people. The railways has suspended pilot Ram Bahadur and copilot Satyajeet Kumar.

GORAKHPUR: The Krishak Express (15007) collided with Lucknow Barauni Express (15204) near here late on Tuesday night leaving at least 13 people dead dead and 45 others injured.

The railways has suspended pilot Ram Bahadur and co-pilot Satyajeet Kumar of Krishak Express on charges of negligence of duty.

As per reports, the accident took place at 10.47 pm when Krishak Express rammed into Lucknow Barauni Express from behind at Nandnagar crossing close to Contonment here.

The intensity of the collision could be gauged from the fact that three general bogies of Krishak Express got derailed while three others got crushed. “It was a ghastly incident. Initially I thought it was a thunder and lightening but when we approached the site we realised that it was a train accident,” said Sanjeev Srivastava, a local trader who has a shop at Nandnagar crossing. “At once we informed the police and began rescue operation,” he said.

Despite darkness a massive rescue operation was immediately launched and it continued till early in the morning. N-E Railway GM Madhuresh Kumar said the accident could be due to overshoot- ing of signal by Krishak Express driver but it had to be confirmed yet. “We have set up a committee headed by commissioner, railway safety to probe the accident,” he said.

The injured have been admitted to BRD Medical College, District Hospital and Air Force Hospital here. Rail minister Sadanand Gowda visited the spot and also went to see the injured passengers in the hospitals. Gowda later lauded the role played by Air Force and SSB jawans and locals in rescue operations.

When asked about frequent accidents in the north-eastern region— this being the third big accident in the region in recent times — Gowda said an action plan would be formulated to ensure safety of passengers.

While inspecting the site, Union railway minister Sadanand Gowda directed officials to chalk out an action plan to keep a check over frequent train accidents. “We will be working on an action plan to check the accidents,” said Gowda while paying visit to the BRD Medical College.

Meanwhile, an ex-gratia payment of ` 2 lakh to the kin of deceased, ` 1 lakh to the severely injured and ` 20,000 to those with minor injuries was announced by the Railways. Besides, the state government also sanctioned an ex-gratia of ` 2 lakh to the kin of deceased and ` 50,000 to the injured. N-E Railway GM said that ex-gratia payment to victims and victims’ kin had already been made.

Meanwhile, Congress acitivists burnt Gowda’s effigy in protest against the mishap.