The Secunderabad-Visakhapatnam Duronto Express hit a Tata Ace vehicle that was stuck on the track at Bhimadolu in Eluru district of Andhra Pradesh on Thursday. According to a report by news agency IANS, the accident occurred around 3 am.
The driver of the Tata Ace vehicle tried to speed away after ramming into the crossing gate, which was closed for road traffic. As the vehicle got stuck on the railway track and the train was approaching, the passengers in the Tate Ace got down and escaped.
Senior railways officials and mechanics rushed to the spot to repair the locomotive after the train rammed into the vehicle. They had to later arrange an alternative locomotive.
Trains from Vijayawada to Visakhapatnam were delayed due to the accident.
The Duronto Express resumed its journey after a delay of more than five hours. Many passengers got down at the accident site and left for their destinations by other modes of transport.
The vehicle is suspected to have collided with the railway gate while being chased by police. Police suspect the vehcile belonged to cattle thieves.
The Railways police have registered a case and begun an investigation. They, in coordination with the local police, are trying to identify those travelling in a Tata Ace.
The Duronto Express, which left Secunderabad around 8.30 pm on Wednesday, was scheduled to reach Visakhapatnam at 6.25 am on Thursday. It reached the destination around 2 pm, a delay of seven-and-a-half hours.
Earlier, the wheel of a local train caught fire near Asangaon station in Maharashtra's Thane district. The incident happened due to “brake binding”. The incident occurred at Asangaon station, located 70 km from Mumbai when the local train was heading to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (in south Mumbai) from Kasara in Thane. After noticing the burning wheel, passengers jumped out of the coach as soon as the train stopped.
Also read |Andhra Pradesh CM Jagan Reddy Meets Home Minister Amit Shah, Urges To Release Pending Funds