A heartbreaking accident near Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu, claimed the lives of three students and injured others on Tuesday morning. The incident occurred when a passenger train collided with a school van at Semmankuppam.
The van, carrying five students and a driver, was struck while reportedly traversing an open railway gate. The impact dragged the vehicle approximately 50 meters along the tracks. Emergency responders rushed the injured children to Cuddalore Government Hospital for treatment.
Tragically, three children died. Local residents found two victims on the tracks and alerted authorities, while another student succumbed to injuries at the hospital.
Officials from the Railway Department and local police are now conducting a joint investigation into the crash. According to a Railway statement, the collision happened at a manned, non-interlocked level crossing. Train No. 56813, the Villupuram-Mayiladuthurai passenger service, struck the van as it attempted to cross.
Preliminary findings and eyewitness accounts indicate the gatekeeper was closing the barrier for the approaching train. However, the van driver allegedly insisted on crossing, resulting in the fatal impact.
Railway authorities dispatched a relief train with medical resources to the site. The Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) and Branch Officers are also en route to oversee the response.