Train rams into bus,38 killed

UP: Accident site an unmanned rail crossing; victims returning from wedding

At least 38 people,including nine children,were killed and 29 others were critically injured when the Mathura-Chhapra Express train rammed a bus carrying a marriage party at an unmanned crossing in Patiyali area of Kanshiram Nagar district early on Thursday.

The victims were returning to Gadhiya village in Etah district after marriage-related ceremonies at Arupura village in Kanshiram Nagar. As many as 33 of the dead were from from Gadhiya village.

Survivors told the police that when the bus was about 500 metres from the crossing,they spotted the approaching train and cautioned the driver. But the driver,who was probably drunk,ignored them and drove on,Kanshiram Nagar Additional SP Dadan Pal Singh said

The train driver applied the emergency brakes but it hit the rear half of the bus,smashing it into parts. After some distance,the train stopped and the driver informed the railways control room which in turn informed the police. People from Arupura village rushed to the spot and helped in rescue operations.

District Magistrate Selva Kumari and SP RK Srivastava reached there within an hour.

The ASP said 32 persons died on the spot while 35 injured were rushed to the district hospital where six more succumbed to their injuries. Of the 29 injured persons,15 are in a critical condition,the Dadan Pal Singh said.

Singh said it was not immediately known if the bus driver was among the victims. However,the Public Relations Officer of Northern Eastern Railway Izatnagar Division Rajendra Singh said the driver survived and fled.

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As the incident took place due to the negligence of the bus driver,the railways will lodge an FIR against him, he said.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has announced an ex-gratia relief of Rs 2 lakh each for the kin of the deceased,Rs 50,000 each for the seriously injured and Rs 10,000 each for those who had suffered minor injuries.

Chief Minister Mayawati too announced compensation of Rs 1 lakh each to the kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for the seriously injured and Rs 25,000 each for those who suffered minor injuries. She sent senior minister Swami Prasad Maurya and Relief Commissioner K K Sinha to ensure proper rescue work.

The Public Relations Officer said the track was cleared and traffic was restored after four hours. The Mathura-Chhapra Express left for its destination.