Five people died and 18 others were injured this afternoon when a coal-laden goods train crashed into the fourth last bogey of the Gomoh-Chaupan passenger train when it was changing tracks near Barwadih railway station. The site is about 175 km from Ranchi. Three bodies have been extricated from the wreckage, according to Additional Divisional Railway Manager Samir Toppo. ‘‘The exact number of casualties will be known only after the derailed bogies are searched,’’ he said.Railway SP Setu Hembrom said the death toll was five. But unconfirmed reports suggest the casualty could be more. ‘‘Not less than 20 have died,’’ said a resident of Barwadih quoting two eyewitnesses. The 18 injured were admitted to hospitals in Latehar and Daltongunj. ‘‘At least five have been seriously injured,’’ said a senior police officer. The crash ocurred at around 2:30 pm, and rescue teams from Daltongunj reached the site by 3.30 pm. The last four bogies of the passenger train and 17 wagons of the goods train derailed due to the impact, paralysing traffic on the track between Daltongunj in Jharkhand and Cahuapan in Uttar Pradesh. ‘‘We hope to clear the traffic by midnight,’’ said Toppo.‘‘The passenger train had just rolled out of the station and was approaching the west cabin by changing track when the goods train hit the fourth bogey from the rear,’’ he said. On what had led to the accident, Toppo said it was the subject of inquiry. ‘‘So far, we have learnt that the driver of the goods train which jumped the red signal had complained of brake failure,’’ added Toppo. No FIR has been lodged, or arrest made in this connection.
