Hazarduari Express: A major tragedy was averted at the Khardaha station in West Bengal on Sunday night where a Tata Sumo SUV– which is primarily used as a passenger vehicle– dashed into a decelerating Hazarduari Express train after the driver reportedly barged through the level crossing gate when it was being closed by the gateman in anticipation of the train’s arrival.
An Eastern Railway spokesperson said no injuries or casualty was caused in the incident as the express train was decelerating upon its arrival at the station and the Tata Sumo did not have any passengers, adding that the driver had stranded the SUV on the track and was not present in the vehicle at the time of the incident.
Visuals of the incident shared on social media showed the Hazarduari Express ramming the Tata Sumo SUV which is parked halfway on the tracks.
At 20:40 hrs, Down Hazaduari Express near Khardaha collided with a car at a level crossing. The driver fled, leaving the vehicle stranded. Thankfully, no casualties reported. #EasternRailway filed an FIR and urges adherence to level crossing safety protocols to prevent accidents. pic.twitter.com/KGgR3WngW2
— Tirthankar Das (@tirthajourno) July 14, 2024
“The incident took place when the driver of the SUV disregarded the gateman’s calls to stop as he was closing the level crossing gate and the car hit the side of the approaching train’s engine around 8.40 pm during a bid to cross the tracks. This could have been a major accident,” the Eastern Railway spokesperson said.
At about 20:40 hrs while Down Hazaduari Express was approaching Khardaha and gateman was level closing the level crossing gate, one Tata sumo vehicle forcibly entered the level crossing and dashed with the Hazarduaro Express. The driver of the vehicle fled away from the spot. pic.twitter.com/yLp0DvfydH
— Abir Ghoshal (@abirghoshal) July 14, 2024
He said the driver of the SUV had abandoned the vehicle and fled the spot but the Eastern Railway lodged an FIR against him and asked the state police to initiate a case against him.
As per preliminary reports, there is no news of any serious injury to the driver, who is absconding, the spokesperson said, adding that the the Hazarduari Express left Khardaha station around 9.02 pm.
The Eastern Railway has appealed everyone to obey safety protocols at level crossings.
(With inputs from agencies)
