Three youths had a miraculous escape after the Kayamkulam-Eranakulam Passenger train hit their car at an unmanned level crossing in Kuttikkulangara on Sunday.
They were identified as Ramesh, 31, of Aickerathu house at Pathiyoor panchayat, Muhammad Niyaz, 31, of Injikkal house at Kayamkulam, and car driver Nirmalkumar, 24, of Kayamkulam.
The incident occurred at 12.30 pm as they were returning to Kayamkulam after a visit to Haripad. The front portion of the car was completely destroyed in the accident.
According to the Kayamkulam Railway Protection Force (RPF) Sub-Inspector Soyar Jojo, the car broke down while crossing the track. “They rushed out of the car after seeing the train approaching them.
Despite their desperate attempt to push the vehicle away from the track, they had to abandon it and jump off the track. The train dragged the car for about 10 metres,” he said.
The Sub-Inspector said that a case has been registered against the youths for flouting the railway rules regarding unmanned railway crossings. “They did not check whether a train was on the track before crossing. Therefore, RPF charged a case against them,” he clarified.