CUDDALORE: At least three children were killed when a passenger train rammed into a school van that attempted to cross a manned level crossing at Semmankuppam, around 10 kilometres south of Cuddalore, at about 7:45 am on Tuesday.
The incident occurred around 7:45 a.m. at level crossing gate number 170, a non-interlocked manned gate between Cuddalore and Alappakkam. The van, belonging to Krishnaswamy Vidyanikethan School in S Kumarapuram, was attempting to cross the tracks when it was hit by the Villupuram–Mayiladuthurai passenger train (Train No. 56813), which was reportedly travelling at 95 km/h, according to railway officials.
The deceased were identified as T Charumathi (Class 12) and her brother T Chezhian (Class 11) from Subramaniapuram, and V Nimilesh (Class 6) from Thondamanatham. Charumathi and Nimilesh died at the scene, while Chezhian succumbed to his injuries at the Government Medical College Hospital (GMCH) in Cuddalore.
Three others were seriously injured: Nimilesh’s brother, V Viswesh (Class 11); the van driver, C Sankar (47) of Manjakuppam; and a local resident, Annadurai (around 50), who rushed to help but was electrocuted after coming into contact with a live wire from a fallen electric pole damaged in the collision. All three are currently under treatment, with Annadurai being transferred to another hospital at his family’s request.
The van reportedly attempted to cross the tracks while the gate remained open and unattended. Surviving student Viswesh and driver Sankar told The New Indian Express (TNIE) that the gatekeeper was absent at the time of the incident. Local residents confirmed their claims.
However, the Southern Railway initially stated that the gatekeeper had "proceeded to close the gate" but opened it on the driver's insistence. In a revised statement, they claimed that “preliminary enquiries” suggested the gate was closed, but the driver insisted it be opened to avoid delays. Both the driver and the surviving student have denied this version.
The gatekeeper, Pankaj Sharma, was roughed up by some locals following the incident and later taken to the Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER) in Puducherry under police protection. He has since been suspended and arrested for alleged criminal negligence. Southern Railway has also initiated dismissal proceedings against him.
In response to the tragedy, the Southern Railway announced ex-gratia payments of ₹5 lakh each to the families of the deceased, ₹2.5 lakh to those grievously injured, and ₹50,000 for those with minor injuries.
“A railway relief train with a medical van, as well as ambulances from local hospitals, reached the site quickly and shifted the injured to hospital. The General Manager of Southern Railway, Divisional Railway Manager (TPJ), and senior officers were at the site to supervise rescue and relief measures,” a statement said. One overhead electric mast was also damaged in the incident.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin expressed deep sorrow and extended his condolences to the families of the deceased. He announced a solatium of ₹5 lakh each from the Chief Minister’s Public Relief Fund, ₹1 lakh for those grievously injured, and ₹50,000 for minor injuries. He also directed authorities to ensure the best possible treatment for the injured at GMCH.
Governor R.N. Ravi also offered his condolences and wished a speedy recovery to the injured. Cuddalore DMK MLA G. Iyappan visited the hospital to support the affected families, while AIADMK General Secretary and Leader of the Opposition Edappadi K. Palaniswami expressed shock over the incident and urged the government to provide adequate medical care to the victims.