5 killed as train rams bus at level-crossing near Coimbatore

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At least five people were killed and 12 others injured when a train hit a mini bus at an unmanned level-crossing near here.

Preliminary information made available by the police said that a mini bus with more than 20 passengers was on its way from Thudialur via Periyanaickenpalayam to Idigarai about 30 km from here. Even as the bus was crossing the unmanned level-crossing on the Narashimanaickenpalayam-Idigarai road, it was rammed by the Mettuppalayam-Coimbatore train at 4.50 pm. Since the special train was introduced only on June 1, the bus driver was unaware of the time at which the train would cross.

The injured were rushed to various hospitals in Periyanaickenpalayam, Thudialur and Coimbatore.

Police said that four of the victims have been identified as Uthara (18), Chellammal (26), Madankumar (15) and Jagadeeswaran (12). The exact number of people killed and those injured and their identities are yet to be ascertained.

Four persons are undergoing treatment at Periyanaickenpalayam and eight have been admitted to the Coimbatore Medical College Hospital.

After the collision, the bus was dragged nearly 150 m by the train. According to eye-witness accounts and police quoting injured passengers, the driver noticed the train only after getting into the level-crossing. The panicked bus driver failed to react and ended up switching the vehicle’s engine off in the middle of the level-crossing.

The bus driver is said to have jumped off the bus and fled the scene. Police said that the driver is reported to have joined very recently.

Divisional Railway Manager, P.N. Ram visited the accident site. Superintendent of Police, A. Arun supervised the rescue and relief operations.

Union Minister for Information and Telecommunications, A. Raja, State Minister for Rural Industries and Animal Husbandry, Pongalur N. Palanisamy, District Collector, P. Umanath called on the injured at the Coimbatore Medical College Hospital and visited the accident site.