ANANTAPUR: In a ghastly train mishap, at least five people were killed and 20 others injured when a granite-laden truck lost control and hit a coach of Bengalur-Nanded Express at Madakasira level crossing in Penukonda mandal in Anantapur district on early hours of Monday.
A Venkatesh Naik, MLA from Devadurg constituency of Raichur district in Karnataka was among the train passengers killed in the disaster. The driver of the truck lost control and hit a coach of Nanded Express at a level crossing.
Four passengers travelling in H1 coach of Bengaluru-Nanded Express and the truck driver were killed in the accident.
The impact led to derailment of two other coaches-S1 and S2.
A few of the passengers in these two bogies received minor injuries and they were admitted to Penjukonda government hospital for treatment. The deceased were identified as Indofil industries general manager Raju, Pullarao from Raichur, Railway AC bogie technician Syed Ahmed. The grievously injured were shifted to Bengaluru Railway hospital.
The accident occurred at around 2.30 when the train was on its way to Nanded in Maharastra from Bengaluru. The speeding truck was carrying huge granites and the driver apparently failed to notice the railway gate. Anantapur district collector K Sasidhar said 20 buses were arranged for the stranded passengers to take them to their respective destinations. The injured were shifted to a government hospital at Penukonda. Ministers Paritala Sunitha and Palle Raghunatha Reddy called on the injured and directed the officials to provide best possible treatment to them.
The accident affected the movement on Bengaluru-Guntakal route. Railway officials with the help of local authorities are engaged in removing the derailed coaches to clear the track. Many trains have been diverted due to derailment. The trains proceeding to Guntakal from Bengaluru are diverted via Katpadi, Jolarpet, Pakala, Dharmavaram junction, said railway officials. The Nizamuddin-Bengaluru city Rajadhani express which was stranded at Anantapur station from 2am was diverted via Pakala.
Helpline Numbers
Accident Site: 9701374062
Penukonda Revenue Divisional Officer: 08555-220228
Dharmavaram : 08559-222555
Anantapur Railway helpline:08554-236444.
Parli helpline No: 0244-6223540
Bidar: 08482-226329
Bengaluru city helpline No; 080-22354108,9731666751.