Gurgaon, Nov 3 (IANS) At least four people were crushed by a speeding train near this suburban city early Tuesday leading to angry protests and stone pelting that saw hundreds of passengers aboard the New Delhi-Ajmer Shatabdi Express being stranded.
The incident took place in Pataudi, 26 km from this satellite town bordering New Delhi, at about 7.30 a.m., railway officials said. Hours later, the 500-600 train passengers continued to be stuck at Pataudi.

“Four people were run over by the New Delhi-Ajmer Shatabdi express this morning when they were illegally crossing the railway track in Pataudi. The accident happened at 7.30 a.m.,” Anant Swarup, spokesperson of the Northern Railways, told IANS.

He said there was a mass agitation at the accident site thereafter.

“Because of the accident, the engine of the train was damaged and we sent another engine from Delhi. However, because of the ongoing protests there, the relief engine could not be attached,” he said.

“The Railway Protection Force (RPF) is now being sent there to handle the situation,” Swarup added.

Police officials added that angry people threw stones at the train and blocked traffic on the Delhi-Ajmer railway section to protest.

Eyewitnesses told police that the victims were trying to cross the track after a goods train passed the railway crossing in Hali Mandi area near Pataudi town. They did not realise that the speeding Shatabdi was coming on the track on the other side and were crushed under it, a police official said.

Police and railway officials sent reinforcements to the spot to tackle the situation.