An overloaded truck hit a 29-year-old cyclist, leaving him dead, while a 17-year-old youth who rushed to rescue others also died after being hit by the Haridwar-bound Jan Shatabdi Express at the Tanda railway crossing on Saturday morning here.
Two persons also suffered injuries in the incident and were admitted to the trauma ward of the civil hospital.
The deceased have been identified as Anil Kumar (29), a resident of Tobri Mohalla, and Gautam Arora (18), a resident of Deep Nagar in Hoshiarpur.
Gautam’s father Pawan Arora, who suffered fracture in his left leg, and Amandeep Singh (22) of Rayya in Amritsar are undergoing treatment at the civil hospital.
The incident took place at 7.50am when the manned level crossing was closed and the Jan Shatabdi was going to Haridwar from Amritsar.
Senior police officials, including ADCP-I Paramjeet Singh, ADCP-II Harpreet Singh Mander, SHO Bimal Kant, and Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel, rushed to the spot and started the rescue operation.
As per information, a speeding truck (PB-13-W-9893) was carrying gravel going from Tanda Road to Mai Heera Gate rammed into a bike, cyclist and other bystanders at railway crossing after its driver lost control over the vehicle.
{{/usCountry}}As per information, a speeding truck (PB-13-W-9893) was carrying gravel going from Tanda Road to Mai Heera Gate rammed into a bike, cyclist and other bystanders at railway crossing after its driver lost control over the vehicle.
{{/usCountry}}The cyclist, Anil Kumar, got badly injured and succumbed to injuries when being taken to hospital while Amandeep, who was on bike, and a woman came under the level-crossing barrier which was uprooted by the truck. The truck driver fled from the spot in the meantime.
Gautam, his father Pawan Kumar, uncle Raj Kumar, who were sitting in their Tata Indica car on the other side of level crossing, rushed to rescue those trapped.
Gautam, who was busy rescuing a woman stuck under the level crossing, failed to notice the approaching train, and was crushed to death. Parts of his body were scattered on the railway track.
Gautam’s father Pawan Kumar suffered fractures in his left leg after he jumped to other side after he noticed the train. Amandeep sustained injuries on his head, shoulders and back. Both the injured were shifted to private hospitals in the evening.
Gateman Davinder Kumar said the accident occurred at 7.50 am when the truck rammed into vehicles, damaging the barrier.
Government railway police SHO Baldev Singh Randhawa said a case under sections 279 (rash driving or riding on a public way), 337 (causing hurt by an act endangering life or personal safety of others), 338 (causing grievous hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others), 304-A (causing death by negligence) and sections of 174, 175 of Indian Railway Act has been registered against the driver, who is yet to be identified.
Jalandhar central MLA Manoranjan Kalia visited the civil hospital and talked to the deceased’s families. He called chief minister Parkash Singh Badal and announced Rs 1 lakh compensation for the families of Anil and Gautam and free treatment to the injured.