Two killed in Assam train accident

Guwahati, Feb 3 (IANS) Two people were killed and 16 seriously injured when a Guwahati-bound train hit a road construction vehicle at an unmanned crossing near here Friday morning, a railway official said. Five coaches derailed under the impact and several people are feared to be trapped inside them.

The passenger train was coming from New Bongaigaon station in lower Assam when it hit a JCB vehicle at Gosaikhat area near Mirza, 15 km from here, at around 9.45 a.m., said railway public relations officer S. Hajong.
“At an unmanned crossing near Gosaikhat, it hit a JCB which was trying to cross over,” Hajong said, adding at least five coaches behind the engine derailed in the accident.
All the injured have been shifted to the Guwahati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH). The condition of 16 is stated to be serious.
The two deceased were identified as Bipul Kalita and Dharani Kalita, sources in the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) said. Bipul Kalita was the driver of the JCB, sources said.
A unit of the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) has reached the spot to help local villagers who started rescue operations immediately after the incident.
The number of casualties might increase as the condition of some of the injured is stated to be critical.