Thaindian News

Lucknow, Jan 4 (IANS) Four railway crew members have been suspended for the two train accidents that occurred in Uttar Pradesh’s Kanpur and Etawah districts Saturday morning, an official said Monday.
As many as 11 people were killed when the Gorakhdham Express collided with the stationary Prayagraj Express in Kanpur. No casualties were reported when the Lichchavi Express rammed into the Magadh Express in Etawah in the other accident. Both accidents occurred in thick fog.

“Four crew members — the drivers and assistant drivers of the Gorakhdham Express and the Lichchavi Express — have been placed under suspension,” R.D. Vajpayee, chief public relations officer (CPRO) of North Central Railway, told reporters in Allahabad, some 200 km from here.

Asked to cite the main reasons behind the accidents as per the inquiry report, he said: “Though the inquiry has been completed, we are yet to receive the official confirmation related to the reasons for the mishaps.”

Kanpur Deputy Inspector General of police B.P. Jogdand and railway officials had told IANS that eight women and two men died in the crash involving the Gorakhdham Express. Later, another passenger Indu Sharma died Sunday evening, taking the toll from 10 to 11.

Nineteen passengers suffered serious and 24 others simple injuries, the officials said.

The impact of the collision badly damaged three coaches of the Prayagraj Express, which was headed for Allahabad from New Delhi. The Gorakhdham Express was running between New Delhi and Gorakhpur.

In Etawah, the driver of Lichchavi Express was critically injured when the train rammed into the Magadh Express near Sarai Bhupat railway station, some 300 km from Lucknow.

“The driver had both his legs fractured. His condition is stated to be critical,” Government Railway Police (GRP) Inspector A.K. Singh told IANS on telephone from Etawah.

Both trains were headed for Bihar. The accident took place around 8.15 a.m Saturday.