Anuppur, Oct 23 (IANS) A 25-year-old man was killed, and six others were injured when a freight train collided with a pickup vehicle in Madhya Pradesh’s Anuppur district, officials said on Friday.
The incident happened late Thursday night, police said. The accident occurred near Sanjay Nagar Double Story in the Chachai police station area when the pickup, carrying seven people returning to their village after delivering DJ equipment, was hit by a train heading towards Sangwa siding to collect coal for the Amarkantak Thermal Power Plant.
The deceased, Ravi Barman, a resident of Chakethi village, was trapped inside the vehicle and died on the spot. The impact was so severe that his head was severed from his body. His body was later removed with the help of a JCB machine.
The six injured, including the pickup driver, were taken to the district hospital in Anuppur. They were later assured better treatment in Jabalpur.
The pickup driver said the crossing had neither a railway gate nor a gatekeeper. The injured were identified as Arjun Kol (17), Vikas Singh (22), Shivam Baig (18), Kanhaiya Verma (25), Karan Kol (19) and Rajesh Singh (26). All six are residents of Chakaithi village.
According to police, several occupants jumped out after seeing the approaching locomotive, but Ravi got trapped inside the vehicle and could not escape.
The locomotive pilot reportedly fled the spot, leaving the engine running.
The accident raised questions about safety arrangements along the railway line used for transporting coal.
Following the accident, Ravi’s family demanded compensation and a job for one of his brothers at the power plant.
After a meeting involving district and police officials, villagers and power plant representatives, assurances were given that compensation would be provided as per applicable rules, and a gate would be installed at the crossing.
Anuppur Sub-Divisional Officer of Police Sujit Kumar said the body would be sent for post-mortem examination, and an accidental death case would be registered. “Further action will be taken after the investigation,” he said.
–IANS
pd/dpb
