Gate keeper dozed off, say locals, railways blame bus driver; bodies of two students identified

CHENNAI: The two students killed after a school van was hit by a train in Tamil Nadu has been identified. The bodies of Nivas, a class 6 student of Cuddalore Krishnaswamy Matriculation School and Charumathy, a plus one student, have been identified. Many injured including the driver, are undergoing treatment. The condition of some is critical.

The accident happened Tuesday morning in Semmankuppam, about 25 km from Cuddalore. Initial reports indicate that the railway gate was not closed when the bus crossed. According to a report released by a national site, when locals searched for the gatekeeper after the accident, he was found sleeping.

A preliminary investigation of the railway said that when the gatekeeper proceeded to close the gate, the driver of the van insisted on allowing the vehicle to cross the gate. The railway authorities issued a press release blaming the bus driver.

The railway authorities also argued that the delay in closing the gate was due to the bus driver's insistence. The railways said in a statement that a committee of officials from the safety, operations and engineering departments is investigating the incident. The statement added that the gatekeeper has been suspended for violating safety rules. The process to remove him from service as per the existing procedures has been initiated.

The railways will offer a compensation of Rs 5 lakh to the families of the dead, Rs 2.5 lakh to those seriously injured and Rs 50,000 to those with minor injuries, the statement said.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin also condoled the accident. Stalin announced Rs 5 lakh to the families of the dead, Rs 2.5 lakh to those seriously injured and Rs 50,000 to those with minor injuries.

The train had dragged the school bus for about 50 meters off the railway tracks. The school bus was hit by Villupuram-Mayiladuthurai passenger train. Cuddalore District Collector Sibi Aditya Senthil Kumar and Superintendent of Police S Jayakumar reached the spot. Train services between Cuddalore and Mayiladuthurai were disrupted following the accident.