Tragic Train Accident in Tamil Nadu: Safety Concerns Rise
Speeding Train Collides with Van at Level Crossing Near Cuddalore
A terrible accident happened on a Tuesday morning in Semmankuppam, Cuddalore district. A fast-moving train hit a van at a railway crossing. Sadly, two school students died. Two other students and the van driver got hurt.
The Victims
The accident took the lives of two young students:
- Charumathi, aged 15
- Venkatesh, aged 10
Hurt in the accident were two other students and the driver, Sankar, who is 45 years old. They were all quickly taken to Cuddalore Government General Hospital for treatment.
What Happened
According to the police, the van was carrying four students. The driver tried to cross the railway tracks at 7:45 AM. Unfortunately, a train going from Villupuram to Mayiladuthurai hit the van. The crash was very strong. It dragged the van over 50 meters, causing a lot of damage.
Rescue Efforts and Reactions
Local villagers reached the scene before the rescue team. They helped the injured and took them to the hospital. The villagers were upset. They blamed the gatekeeper for not closing the gate, which might have caused the accident. Some villagers even got into a fight with the gatekeeper, Pankaj Sharma. Sharma said that the van driver wanted the gate to stay open.
Investigation Underway
Southern Railway has suspended Sharma. They have also started an investigation. Cuddalore SP S Jeyakumar said that they need to do a detailed investigation to find out the exact reason for the accident.
Importance of Safety Measures
This sad event makes us think about safety at railway crossings. It is very important to have and follow safety rules to stop such accidents from happening again.
