Two Children Killed in Cuddalore Train-School Van Accident

A passenger train collided with a school van at a manned gate in Cuddalore, killing two children and injuring six others. Preliminary inquiry suggests that the van driver insisted on crossing the gate despite the gatekeeper attempting to close it. A railway relief train and medical van have been dispatched to the scene, and a committee is investigating the incident.

A tragic incident occurred on Tuesday morning in Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu, when a passenger train collided with a school van at a manned gate, resulting in the deaths of two children and injuring six others [3]. Preliminary inquiries suggest that the van driver insisted on crossing the gate despite the gatekeeper's attempts to close it.

The accident took place near Chemmankuppam, where the school van attempted to cross the railway tracks. A passenger train en route to Chidambaram collided with the van, dragging it for nearly 50 meters before coming to a halt. The impact of the collision caused severe damage to the van, leading to the immediate death of two children and serious injuries to six others, including the driver [3].

Eyewitnesses reported that the van was carrying schoolchildren and the driver at the time of the accident. The injured were rushed to the Cuddalore Government Hospital for emergency treatment, and medical authorities are closely monitoring their condition. Authorities have assured that action will be taken based on the findings of the investigation [3].

The incident has sparked outrage among local residents, who gathered at the site demanding stricter safety measures at railway crossings, especially near school zones. A railway relief train and a medical van have been dispatched to the scene, and a committee is investigating the incident [3].

References:
[1] https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/tamil-nadu-train-hits-school-bus-in-cuddalore-several-children-feared-dead/articleshow/122309806.cms
[2] https://money.rediff.com/news/market/asian-paints-shares-drop-2-amid-cci-probe/29459320250702
[3] https://www.thehansindia.com/news/national/train-rams-into-school-van-near-unmanned-railway-gate-in-tns-cuddalore-3-children-killed-986177