Truck rams into Trivandrum-Delhi Rajdhani Express near MP's Ratlam; driver dead, 2 coaches derailed

At least two coaches of Trivandrum-Delhi Rajdhani Express derailed after it was hit by a truck near Ratlam in Madhya Pradesh on Thursday. The truck broke a level crossing gate between Meghnagar and Thandla Road railway stations on Ratlam-Godhra section and dashed against the Delhi-bound train. 

While no passenger of the train sustained injuries, the truck driver was critically injured. He later succumbed to his injuries. 

Both up and down lines on the section were affected. They were later restored after necessary repairs, the Railways said. 

"Traffic on UP line between Meghnagar-Thandla Road stations in Ratlam Division has been started after Restoration & 19024 Janata Express passed at 9.40 hrs," Western Railway said in a tweet.  

The 80 passengers at site on rear portion of 12431 Trivendrum Rajdhani have been taken to Thandla Rd by ARME accompanied by DRM, RTM. From there they will be taken to Ratlam to head towards Delhi thereafter. Meanwhile, restoration work is going on in full swing. pic.twitter.com/x2wP8nMH1J

— Western Railway (@WesternRly) October 18, 2018

Reports said that the incident took place at around 6.44 am when the truck broke the gates of a manned level crossing and hit the B7 and B8 coach of the Hazrat Nizamuddin-Trivandrum Rajdhani Express (12431). 

All the passengers of affected coaches were soon shifted to the other coaches and the train was moved ahead from the accident site, leaving the affected coaches. 

Restoration work is on to start the lines at the site as soon as possible, Western Railway said. 

"The 80 passengers at site on rear portion of 12431 Trivendrum Rajdhani have been taken to Thandla Rd by ARME accompanied by DRM, RTM. From there they will be taken to Ratlam to head towards Delhi thereafter. Meanwhile, restoration work is going on in full swing," it said in a tweet. 

Helpline No.

Vasai Road: 022-67638062 

Ratlam

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Train accident helpline: 1072