MURSHIDABAD: Three people, including two school students and a local resident, died after a local train hit a school vehicle at around on Friday between Karnasubarna station and the Gobindapur rail gate on the Azimganj–Katwa section in Murshidabad district.According to railway officials, the incident occurred at around 6.41 am at Level Crossing Gate No. 24A/2 in the Katwa–Azimganj section when Train No. 53054 Nimtita–Katwa Passenger collided with a Tata Sumo school van carrying children to Royal Academy School and a bicycle.Four other students and the vehicle driver were hospitalised in critical condition. According to police and local residents, the Nimtita–Katwa local train was travelling on the down line when it collided with the school vehicle at an open level crossing.
Eyewitnesses alleged that the Gobindapur rail gate remained open after the Howrah-bound Nabadwip Express passed on the up line. The school vehicle, carrying students from a private school, and a cyclist attempted to cross the tracks because the gate was open. The incoming train struck the vehicle, causing extensive damage.Following the collision, local residents pulled the victims from the vehicle. The injured were initially taken to Karnasubarna Block Hospital before those in critical condition were shifted to Murshidabad Medical College and Hospital in Berhampore. Residents expressed anger at the railway authorities, alleging that the gateman acted irresponsibly and negligently. A large police contingent reached the spot, and both the police and railway authorities have launched separate investigations. Eastern Railway has dispatched a special team to the site to determine the cause of the accident, including investigating why the gateman was absent from his post or where exactly he was at the time of the collision.The level crossing had been closed for the passage of trains in both directions. After Train No. 13431 passed in the up direction, the gate was opened and the school van entered the crossing, where it was struck by the approaching Nimtita–Katwa Passenger train.The remaining injured children are also undergoing treatment at the hospital.Senior railway officials, RPF personnel, GRP and the local civil administration have reached the site. Additional RPF personnel have been rushed to assist with rescue and crowd management, while district police are also present. Efforts are underway to clear the site and restore normalcy. Railway authorities have initiated an inquiry into the incident.
