The recklessness of a driver who enjoyed music on headphones while driving a school vehicle claimed the lives of eight school students when his Tata Magic was hit by a train at an unmanned railway crossing at Bhadohi on Monday morning as he didn’t pay heed to the warning.
Six injured students were referred to Varanasi for critical care. Reports said the driver of a Tata Magic carrying 22 students of Tender Hearts School of Ghosiya township, did not hear the sound of approaching Varanasi-Allahabad passenger train which rammed into the bust at gate number 26 between Katka and Madhosingh stations.
A Gate Mitra deployed also at the crossing reportedly tried to stop the driver but he could not hear due to the contraption fitted to his ears. Due to the impact, the van was thrown up in the air and landed in a nearby field causing serious injuries to the occupants.
Some survivors also told police that they tried to draw the driver’s attention, but he was in a hurry to cross the crossing. Eight children died on the spot, while the other children and the driver who suffered serious injuries were admitted to different hospitals.
At least six of the injured were later referred to BHU hospital in Varanasi.
The eight deceased were identified as Naitik (6), Abhishek (10), Arpit(6), Pradumn Tewari (14), Shweta Misra (10), Sakshi (7) Karan (10) and Rinku (8).
The accident agitated the locals, who torched the van and sat on dharna at the rail tracks blocking rail traffic for a few hours before the administration managed to clear it.
Expressing condolence at the tragedy, Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh each to the kin of the deceased. He also directed officials to ensure best possible treatment to the injured.
Union Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu also announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh to the kin of those killed; Rs 1 lakh for the seriously injured and Rs 20,000 for those with simple injuries. Railway officials also ordered a probe into the mishap by a three-member committee.