GUWAHATI: A father-son duo was killed when Rajdhani Express train rammed into their car trapped inside a railway level crossing at Chabua in Dibrugarh district of Assam late Sunday night.
The slain persons were identified as Bimal Sharma (65) and his Arnab Garg. They were returning, along with Sharma’s wife, in their car after attending the ring ceremony of Arnab earlier in the day.
As one of the gates of the level crossing was open, they went on to cross the railway tracks following a SUV ahead only to get trapped as the other gate in the level crossing was closed.
The speeding train hit their vehicle, killing Bimal Sharma and Arnab and seriously injuring Sharma’s wife.
All three were rushed to the Assam Medical College and Hospital (AMCH) in Dibrugarh, where Sharma and his son were pronounced dead. His wife is currently undergoing treatment at the AMCH.
Local people alleged before media at Chabua that the one of the gates of the railway crossing got dysfunctional following rains and no attempt had been made so far by the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) to repair it.
The people further alleged that the on-duty gateman was in an inebriated condition and his negligence led to the accident.
An NFR spokesman said that a high-level inquiry had been ordered into the mishap and the report was expected soon.
