DistantNews
Support us
๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ India /Culture & Society

3 killed after train hits car carrying school kids at manned level crossing in WB

From Hindustan Times · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Outcome reported
  • Three children died and five others were injured when a train collided with a school vehicle at a manned level crossing in West Bengal's Murshidabad district.
  • The accident occurred when the vehicle entered the tracks after the crossing gates were opened, only for another passenger train to hit it.
  • Local residents reported that two children died at the scene, with a third succumbing to injuries en route to the hospital, and some of the injured are in critical condition.

A tragic accident at a manned level crossing in West Bengal's Murshidabad district claimed the lives of three schoolchildren and left five others injured on Friday morning. The collision occurred when a train struck a vehicle carrying students.

Local authorities confirmed that two children died instantly at the scene, while a third child passed away on the way to the hospital. At least five other students sustained injuries, with the condition of some reported as critical. Police have dispatched officers to the site to investigate the incident.

An accident has taken place in which a vehicle carrying school children was hit by a train at a level crossing. Our officers have rushed to the spot. There are reports that a few persons have died and some have been injured.

โ€” Senior police officer of Murshidabad police districtConfirming the incident and initial reports of casualties.

Eyewitnesses described the sequence of events, stating that the level crossing gates were closed for a scheduled train. After that train passed, the gateman opened the gates. The school vehicle then proceeded onto the tracks. However, another passenger train suddenly appeared and collided with the vehicle.

The incident has raised concerns about safety protocols at the manned level crossing, particularly regarding the timing of gate operations and the movement of vehicles onto the tracks.

The gates of the level crossing were closed as a train was scheduled to pass. After the train passed, the gateman opened the door. The pool car entered the tracks. But suddenly another passenger train came and hit the pool car.

โ€” Local residentDescribing the moments leading up to the collision.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hindustan Times. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.