Careless driver to blame: probe
Railway officials have initially said that the SUV driver’s negligence has caused the accident that killed five people and injured two others at a railway crossing at Barabkunda in Sitakunda.
The accident took place around 11am on Wednesday when the Chandpur-bound Karnaphuli Express collided with the SUV of state-owned automobile-assembler Pragati Industries, killing and injuring seven officials of the company.
After visiting the scene of the accident in the afternoon, the chief of a five-strong committee, Bangladesh Railway’s district traffic officer (DTO) Zakir Hossain told bdnews24.com that the negligence of driver ‘Morshed’ caused the accident.
“He’s not a regular driver of the company. He was a staff of the mechanical department.”
Zakir said, “We’ve come to know that Morshed drove hurriedly to cross the level crossing when one should stop and check both sides of the rail tracks before crossing.”
Witnesses told investigators that the east side gate of the crossing was open while the train was running on the west side of the tracks. The jeep’s driver tried to reverse the car but failed after it reached and stopped over the tracks.
Confirming Morshed was not a regular driver, Pragati Industries general manager (production) Abdul Khayer Sarder told bdnews24.com that he had been driving for sometime as he had a driving licence.
Three investigative committees have been formed by the Bangladesh Railway (east zone) following the accident.
Chief operating superintendent (COPS) Belal Uddin is heading the second team of three members and additional COPS Syed Zahurul Islam is the chief of a four-strong committee.
The first two committees were told to submit their reports within three days and the third has 24 hours.
The accident killed Morshed along with the company’s accounts officer Tofayel Ahmed, assistant marketing officer Saleh Ahmed, security officer Ahsan Ullah and official Badal Barua on the spot.
The injured, identified as security officers Abdul Barek and Khayer Hossain, were admitted to Chittagong Medical College and Hospital.
Zakir said the gateman closed the west side first as the train was running on the tracks on that side. “He was on his way to close the other side. He even waved red flag trying to alert the jeep’s driver but Morshed did not see that.”
Pragati GM Khayer said the level crossing’s gate is at least 20 yards away from the company’s main gate. “There was no gateman at the crossing and the gate was open.”
“Three gateman are appointed at this crossing. One of them gets paid from the company,” he said.
But, DTO Zakir said, “The crossing is at least 50 yards away from Pragati’s main gate. The jeep’s driver lost control over the rail tracks as he was driving hastily.”
Mohammad Hasan is a local resident who witnessed the accident. He told bdnews24.com that the train dragged the car a few hundred yards before it stopped.
Twelve railway officials visited the scene including Zakir, railway general manager (east zone) Yusuf Ali Mridha, additional engineer (road) Sukumar Bhoumik.
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