Five people, including three school students and a cyclist, lost their lives in a tragic train-van collision in West Bengal’s Murshidabad district early on Friday. The incident occurred at the Gobindpur railway gate near Karnasubarna station, where a passenger train collided with a school van crossing the tracks. Four others sustained critical injuries.
The Railways termed the incident “very unfortunate” and confirmed that the gateman on duty at the level crossing has been arrested. According to police and eyewitness accounts, the tragedy unfolded shortly after the Howrah-bound Nabadwip Dham Express passed through the area. A police officer reported that the railway crossing was closed during the express train’s passage but was opened prematurely, despite another passenger train being scheduled to arrive next.
As the driver of the van, carrying school students, attempted to cross the tracks at the open crossing, a cyclist was also trying to navigate the area. “The Nimtita-Katwa local train, hurtling at high speed, rammed the school van,” the police officer stated. The impact severely crumpled the vehicle, throwing it to the side of the tracks and trapping the children inside.
Three students from Gobindpur village and the cyclist, identified as 50-year-old Jamshed Sheikh, died at the scene. The screams of the trapped children alerted local residents, who began rescue attempts. Police from the Berhampore police station soon joined the efforts. The injured, including three students and the van’s driver, were rushed to Murshidabad Medical College and Hospital. The deceased have been sent for autopsy.
Shibram Manjhi, a spokesperson for Eastern Railway, commented on the incident, stating, “This is a very unfortunate incident in which three have died. The Railways has taken strict action, and the gateman has been arrested. A team of 10 members left for the incident site immediately upon receiving the information. Compensation of Rs 10 lakh has been announced, and treatment for the injured is ongoing.”
Local residents expressed outrage, accusing the gateman of negligence and questioning the effectiveness of the Railway’s signal systems. “The barrier had been lowered for the express train. Once it passed, the gateman raised it. The passenger train was running late. Seeing the gate open, the van driver thought the tracks were clear. The train came out of nowhere at high speed. It was pure negligence,” remarked an eyewitness. Another resident added, “Why did the gate remain open when a train was approaching on the down line? Where was the gateman, and why did the signal system fail? Young lives have been lost because someone didn’t do their job.”
Following the accident, train movement in the Azimganj-Katwa section of Eastern Railway was temporarily disrupted as local residents blocked the tracks in protest.
