Close shave for passengers as train hits tractor left on tracks

The 14727 Sriganganagar-Tilak Bridge Express collided with a tractor-trailer in the outer area of Sadulshehar station in Sriganganagar last night. The engine and several coaches were damaged while the tractor-trailer was broken into two pieces.

The train passes through Rajasthan and Haryana states to reach Tilak Bridge in Delhi.

According to information, the incident occurred around 8.45 pm near Gram Panchayat Takhat Hazara, two km from Sadulshehar. There was no loss of life. The tractor driver fled the spot.

Teams of Government Railway Police (GRP) and Railway Protection Force (RPF) from Sriganganagar reached the spot. The collision caused a lot of trouble to the passengers.

Preliminary investigation indicated that as the tractor driver was crossing the railway track near Takhat Hazara village, he saw the train approaching and got scared. He jumped off the tractor and ran away leaving the vehicle behind. Subsequently, the tractor and the train had a massive collision.

The engine of the train was damaged in the accident. The Sadulshehar police reached the spot and informed railway officials, GRP and RPF about the mishap.

On receiving the information, Station Superintendent at Sadulshehar also reached the site. The train was slowly brought to Sadulshehar station.

Since officials did not find it safe to run the train with the damaged engine, another engine was ordered from Sriganganagar. After the incident, the train remained at the accident site for 20 minutes, following which it was brought to Sadulshehar station where it halted for about two and a half hours till the new engine arrived, causing an overall delay of three hours.

The police said efforts were being made to identify the tractor driver on the basis of the vehicle number.