3 children dead in train-school van collision, a question remains: Was level crossing gate open or shut?
Southern Railway indicates van tried to drive through the level crossing when it shouldn’t have, but eyewitnesses and survivors claimed the gate was open
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People gather near the wreckage of a vehicle after a school van was allegedly hit by a passing train while attempting to cross a railway track, in Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu, Tuesday. (PTI)Hours after a passenger train collided with a school van at a level crossing in Tamil Nadu’s Cuddalore district, killing three children and injuring several others, a prima facie probe by the Southern Railway indicates the van tried to drive through the level crossing when it shouldn’t have, even as eyewitnesses and survivors claimed the gate was open.
The accident, which occurred at 7:45 am at Level Crossing Gate No. 170, involved Train No. 56813, the Villupuram–Mayiladuthurai passenger. A van carrying children to Krishnaswamy Vidyaniketan Senior Secondary School in Kumarapuram was crossing the tracks when it was struck, instantly killing two boys aged 12 and 15 and a girl aged 16. Two other children, the driver, and a local rescuer sustained injuries.
At 9 am, the first official statement issued by Southern Railway claimed that as the gatekeeper was “proceeding to close the gate”, the van driver “insisted” on crossing, which “should not have been permitted.”
However, at noon, in a more detailed statement, Railway officials claimed, “The gate was in closed condition when the van arrived; however, the van driver insisted on allowing the van to cross the gate to avoid the delay in reaching school.”
The statement noted that the gatekeeper had been suspended, an FIR lodged, and dismissal proceedings initiated.
The noon release also blamed the local administration: “An underpass has already been sanctioned by the Southern Railway… but permission for it is not being given by the District Collector for the last one year.”
However, victims and eyewitnesses claimed the gate was open when the van approached.
A 15-year-old survivor, currently receiving treatment, told the media that “usually the school van stops at the closed gate around 7.30-735 am”. “Today, the gate was open. There was no stoppage, no train sound. Our van got on the tracks, and suddenly the train hit us,” he said. He said there weren’t many students on the van as it was going to pick up others.
The van driver, who also suffered injuries, told a TV channel, “The gate was open, and there was no train siren or sound when we crossed the gate.”
A farmer working in a nearby field also claimed the fate was open. Residents also claimed the gatekeeper on duty was thrashed after the accident.
The Southern Railway has announced an ex gratia compensation of Rs 5 lakh for the families of the deceased, Rs 2.5 lakh for the grievously injured, and Rs 50,000 for others who were injured.
Chief Minister M K Stalin also announced Rs 5 lakh each from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund to the families of the children who lost their lives.
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