Express train driver run over by goods train in Bengal

The driver of a stationary express train was run over by a goods train at a West Bengal station Saturday, railway officials said. Niranjan Pandit, who was scheduled to retire from service March 31, died on the spot after he was crushed under the goods train at Rajabhatkhawa station.

"A case of unnatural death was recorded. Pandit was the driver of the Up Intercity Express which was going from Siliguri to Alipurduar and had halted at the station. When the goods train was about to cross on the down Line, he apparently jumped on to the tracks," said station manager Arindam Mukherjee. "It seems to be a case of suicide," he said.

However, Divisional Commercial Railway Manager, Alipurduar, Alokanando Sarkar said only a probe could establish whether the victim fell from his express train accidentally, or was pushed, or he jumped to his death. Train movement was hit for about two hours following the incident.