20 July,2012 05:16 PM IST | | Shashank Rao
Three people died and 70 were injured, when six coaches of a CST-bound Kasara local derailed on the Kalyan-Igatpuri section.u00a0The driver of the Gondia-bound Vidarbha Express tried to avoid the derailed bogies and in the process the engine and three compartments of the passenger train were derailed.
Off track: The driver of the Gondia-bound Vidarbha Express tried to avoid the derailed bogies of the local train and in the process the engine and three compartments of the passenger train were derailed. Representation Pic
According to officials of Central Railways, the N-30 Kasara-CST local derailed between Kasara and Umbermali at around 9.30 pm due to a landslide and six coaches jumped the tracks. Passengers had already got off the local when it derailed, which averted a major tragedy.
The Mumbai CST-Gondia Vidarbha Express had left CST at around 7.15 pm and was speeding towards Kasara, and the derailed local was in its path.u00a0The collision is believed to have occurred between 9.35 and 9.45 pm.
"It seems the driver of Vidarbha Express saw the derailed local and applied the brakes, but the passenger train still collided with the local," said a CR official.
The sudden application of brakes is believed to have led to the derailment of the engine and three compartments.u00a0However, the authorities, unsure of the exact reason, said that a preliminary investigation will be carried out.
"A medical van was immediately summoned and senior railway officials rushed to the spot to supervise the rescue and relief arrangements," said a CR spokesperson.
The incessant rain and lack of proper lighting is hampering rescue and relief work at the scene of the mishap.
In New Delhi Railway Board Chairman Vinay Mittal said the Commissioner of Safety (Railways) would conduct an inquiry into the incident.
Railway Minister Mukul Roy announced an exgratia of Rs five lakh for next of the kin of the dead, Rs 1 lakh for seriously injured and Rs 25,000 for those who suffered simple injuries.
Out of the 14 injured passengers listed below, 4 are grievously injured and have been shifted to Suvidha Hospital, Nashik and 10 passengers are admitted to Kasara Hospital.u00a0
One of the deceased was identified as Shakeela Kureshi F-65.u00a0
PASSENGERS ADMITTED AT NASHIK HOSPITAL
Dr. Priya Warde F-31 of Dombivli
Dr. Rupesh Warde M-57 of Dombivli
Shri Vasant Bhat M-54 of Nagpur
Smt. Rakhi Vasant Bhat F-34 of Nagpur
PASSENGERS ADMITTED AT KASARA HOSPITAL
Shri Santosh Somnath Sable M-21
Smt Shalini Dharampal Bhagat F-51 of Amravati
Shri Dharampal Bhagat M-65 of Amravati
Shri Ram Dasrath Nadwane M-46 of Nagpur
Shri Bhiva Ramji Bangare M-50
Zoyat Khaleel Shaikh F-13 of Bandra
Rashida Khaleel Shaikh F-30
Nazia Rafiq Shaikh F-36
Latifa Shaikh F-17
Shri Abhijit Ghate M-29 of Vasai
IGATPURI RAILWAY HOSPITAL
Vokash Ramdar, Junior Engineer Kalyan (Railwayman) Simple Injury
Helpline Number 022-22694040 (Mumbai), 10720 (Nagpur) has been provided for those seeking the information about the mishap, a Central Railway statement said.u00a0
(Inputs from Vinod Kumar Menon)
