UP CM reveals reason behind Kushinagar Accident case

Gorakhpur, Apr 26: In a tragic accident, 13 school children were killed and 8 were injured after their school bus carrying nearly 25 students collided with a speeding train. The accident happened at an unmanned crossing in Uttar Pradesh's Kushinagar, around 50 km from Gorakhpur.

Most of the children in the bus were below 10 years of age, an official told to media. Accident relief medical train has been sent to the accident site from Gorakhpur.

CM Yogi promised an inquiry into the incident to identify those responsible for the tragedy, and said that he has spoken with the Railway Minister to find a way to keep a check on unmanned railway crossings.

CM Yogi, while raising doubts about the driver’s age, also said that the accused was wearing headphones. The accident left 14 children dead and seven others injured.

Media reports have been quoting an anonymous eye-witness, who was riding his bike near the track when the accident took place. "The driver of the train repeatedly honked but the van driver could not hear it because of his headphones. On collision, the van was thrown almost 100 metres away from the track. The train driver tried to apply the brake but the speed of the train was such that a collision could not be averted.

Expressing condolence, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced ex-gratia of Rs two lakh for the families of the victims and directed Gorakhpur commissioner to conduct an inquiry into the accident.

Railway Minister Piyush Goyal, too, expressed his grief over the accident and announced an ex-gratia of Rs two lakh each to the kin of the victims.