A tragic incident occurred in Karnasubarna, Murshidabad district, West Bengal, where a train collided with a school van, resulting in the deaths of four individuals, including three schoolchildren. The collision took place around 7 a.m., leaving three more students and the van driver in critical condition and hospitalized. Eyewitnesses reported that the school van was struck by the Nimtita-Katwa local train while crossing the railway line.
The accident was attributed to the railway gateman’s negligence in closing the rail gate despite being aware of the approaching Nimtita-Katwa local train. Local residents and witnesses initiated rescue efforts, with support from the police, following the tragic collision. An on-duty police officer mentioned that the deceased victims, along with the injured, were rushed to Baharampur Medical College and Hospital for treatment, with concerns of a potential increase in the death toll.
Preliminary investigations indicated that the school van driver was not at fault, as he was unaware of the high-speed train approaching the downline. A team of senior railway officers has been dispatched to the accident site from Howrah to conduct a thorough inquiry and provide a detailed report to the authorities.
