Seven die as train ploughs into truck in Karnataka

Seven persons including two children were killed on the spot when a super-fast train ploughed through a truck at an unmanned level crossing in Central Karnataka’s Haveri district.

The mishap occurred when the truck was struck on the railway track at the level crossing near Byadgi in Haveri district on Monday. The Bangalore-Hubli Janashatabdi train, which was travelling at a speed of 100 kms per hour, hit the truck even as the driver was desperately trying to clear the railway tracks.

The truck broke into two due to the impact of the collision and the driver cabin was dragged upto a distance of 30 metres on the railway track. The bodies of the victims were found scattered along the stretch. The driver of the truck had a miraculous escape, but was admitted to a Government hospital in Byadgi with minor injuries.

The deceased, who had been identified as residents of Chatra village in Byadgi taluk had flagged down the construction material-laden truck proceeding to Shimoga at Chatra. They boarded the ill-fated truck for a drop upto Byadgi town.

According to eye-witnesses, the driver of the truck tried to get the vehicle across the unmanned level crossing even as the train was approaching. But, unfortunately, the truck got stuck on the railway track, leading to the tragedy.

On receipt of information, a medical relief van belonging to south western railway rushed to the spot with doctors. But, all the seven passengers, who had hitched a hike on the unfortunate truck died before they could be rushed to the nearest hospital. The driver Hanumanthappa Kakol was undergoing treatment at the Byadgi hospital.

Senior police officials, who reached the spot, blamed the driver for the “unfortunate mishap”. Superintendent of Haveri district police H N Sidappa said a case will be registered against the driver for negligent driving.