12 jump off Pushpak Express fearing fire, run over by another train in Maha
Tribune News Service
New Delhi, January 22
As many as 12 train passengers were killed near Jalgaon in Maharashtra on Wednesday when they were run over by another train coming from the opposite direction on the parallel track.
The panicked passengers had jumped down from their coach suspecting that the coach they were travelling in had caught fire.
The mishap has happened at a time when Railway Minister Ashwani Vaishnaw is in Davos in Switzerland to attend the World Economic Forum meeting.
As per Nashik Divisional Commissioner, 11 people died and five others were injured as the passengers of Pushpak Express were hit by Karnataka Express coming from the other direction. Agencies quoted Nashik Divisional Commissioner Praveen Gedam as having said, “As per the information, 11 people have died in the accident and five others are injured. Police and other officials are at the spot. Eight ambulances and several railway rescue vans have been sent to the spot. District Collector and DRM are in contact and all possible help is being provided.”
Swapnil Nila, Chief Public Relations Offiocer (CPRO) of Central Railway, said the accident took place near Pachora in Jalgaon. “Pushpak Express was coming from Lucknow towards Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus in Mumbai. The alarm chain of the train was pulled and a few passengers deboarded the train. At the same time Karnataka Express was coming from the opposite direction. The passengers of Pushpak Express were hit by that train. Railway's accident relief medical van has left from Bhusawal and it will reach the site soon. Karnataka Express has resumed its onward journey and Pushpak Express will resume the journey after help is provided to injured passenger,” Nila said.
