The passengers of the Ernakulam-Howrah Antyodaya Express had a close shave when the train hit a JCB excavator at a level crossing near the Haridaspur railway station in Jajpur district at around 10.15 am on Wednesday.
While the excavator was severely damaged, four passengers of the train sustained injuries in the mishap. Sources said the mishap occurred when the JCB developed a technical snag while passing a manned level crossing between the Haridaspur and New Garhmadhupur railway stations and got stuck on the railway track.
Realising that the train was coming towards him at a high speed, the driver of the excavator abandoned his vehicle and fled from the spot.
The pantograph of the train engine was broken and the overhead wire and the masts were damaged as well in the subsequent collision. A diesel engine was sent to bring the train from the spot.
After getting information, the Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) of Khurda Road immediately suspended the level crossings gateman Jasobaant Swain on the charge of dereliction of duty, said an East Coast Railway spokesman.
An FIR was registered against the owner and driver of the JCB on the charges of criminal negligence, infringement on railway premises and jeopardising the safety of railway property as well as of passengers, added the spokesman.