Three school students were killed and two others critically injured on Tuesday morning when a school van collided with a passenger train at a manned level crossing near Semmankuppam in Tamil Nadu’s Cuddalore district, about 189 kilometres south of Chennai.
According to Southern Railway, the tragic accident occurred around 7:45 a.m. at Gate No. 170 — a non-interlocked manned level crossing between Cuddalore and Alappakkam — when the van attempted to cross the tracks and was struck by Train No. 56813 Villupuram–Mayiladuthurai passenger.
The impact of the collision dragged the van nearly 50 metres, resulting in the deaths of three students and critical injuries to two others, including the van driver.
The victims have been identified as Nimalesh, 12, and Charumathi, 16, who died on the spot, and Chezhiyan, 15, who succumbed to injuries while being transported to JIPMER hospital in Puducherry.
Another student, Vishvesh, 16, and the van driver, Sankar, 47, are undergoing treatment for serious injuries.
Eyewitnesses alleged that the railway gate was left open because the gatekeeper, identified as Pankaj Sharma, had dozed off. Locals, angered by the incident, reportedly assaulted the gatekeeper and damaged the railway cabin before police, railway officials and rescue personnel arrived on the scene.
Southern Railway has suspended and arrested Sharma on charges of criminal negligence. It also announced that an inquiry has been initiated and the process of dismissing the gatekeeper from service is underway.
The Railways, while expressing regret and offering condolences, blamed the Cuddalore District administration for the delay in granting permission to construct an underpass at the level crossing — a project approved and funded by Southern Railway over a year ago.
In a statement, Southern Railway said, “Preliminary inquiry reveals the gate was closed when the van arrived, but the van driver insisted on being allowed to pass to avoid delay in reaching the school. The gatekeeper wrongly permitted this, violating rules and protocol.”
However, the van driver contradicted the Railway’s claim, stating from the hospital that the gate was open and no horn was sounded by the approaching train. Several local residents supported the driver’s version.
Southern Railway has announced a solatium of ₹5 lakh each to the families of the deceased, ₹2.5 lakh to the grievously injured, and ₹50,000 to those with minor injuries.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin also announced compensation of ₹5 lakh to each of the bereaved families, ₹1 lakh to the critically injured, and ₹50,000 for others who sustained injuries. Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi and opposition leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami expressed condolences.
DMK MP Kanimozhi criticised the Railways and the Union Government, accusing them of apathy in ensuring the installation of the ‘Kavach’ safety system across the country.
“Out of the 68,584 km of railway network, only 1,548 km have ‘Kavach’ installed,” she posted on X. “Even after repeated accidents, the Union Government shows no urgency.”
Follow us
