Agartala, Jan 12, 2023, TRIPURATIMES Desk

Ambassa, Jan 12: One person died and another person sustained serious injuries as Tripura Sundari Express running from Agartala met with an accident at Jawharnagar station in Dhalai district.

The train rammed into a stone crushing machine which was working along the rail tracks at around 9.30 am. Two persons- Dipankar Paul (driver) and Sanjoy Reang (co-driver), who were in the stone crushing machine, had received serious injuries in the accident.

They were immediately rushed to the Kulai hospital where the driver passed away at about 5.30 pm. The condition of the other person is stated to be critical.

Soon after the accident, the Tripura Sundari Express came to grinding halt and its engine was damaged. Locals and fire service personnel rushed to the spot and rescued the two injured persons from the dozer that was engaged in the earth work for a flyover construction failed to move out in time as the train approached. However, a major catastrophe could be avoided due to the alertness of the train driver.

Later a new engine from Agartala station reached the spot and the Tripura Sundari began its forward journey once again. The GRP and other concerned agencies rushed to the spot and took required steps.

It is not yet clear as to how the dozer came closer to the tracks on which the train was running. An investigation will be launched by the Railway authorities, an official said.

However, it is suspected that there could be technical or manual fault relating to the signal and the dozer failed to move out from the train path in time. A team of the railway officials rushed to the spot.

Meanwhile, Tripura Sundari started running normally and there was no harm for the passengers, the official said.