2 die as train rams car at crossing

Unmanned railway crossing claimed two more lives when a Chennaibound express train hit a car and dragged the vehicle for more than a kilometre in the district on Wednesday night.

Two persons travelling in the car died instantly while the movement of trains on the route was disrupted for a couple of hours.

The mishap took place at the railway crossing near Gopalapally village in Narketpally mandal at around 7.15 p.m.

According to police, the Chennai Express rammed into a car at Gopalapally village and dragged the car for more than a kilometre before coming to a halt.

Two persons travelling in the car died instantly.

‘’The train was coming without its lights on. The train driver did not even blow the horn,’’ locals alleged.

Railway officials and police officers said there was ample lighting near the crossing and as there was no halt for the train in the vicinity, the train was running at a high speed.

One of the victim has been identified as Sudhir Thaniki. Police said the person might be from Noida. The identity of the other person is yet to be ascertained.

Police suspect the persons might be employed to inspect the extension works being taken up on the NH-9 abutting the railway crossing.