Three killed in train mishap in Uttar Pradesh

New Delhi/Lucknow, Apr 10 (UNI) At least three people were killed and six others injured when the Delhi-bound Satyagraha Express collided with an earth excavating equipment at Jahanikheda station in Hardoi district of Uttar Pradesh in the wee hours of today.

Railway Ministry officials and Government Railway Police (GRP) sources said the mishap occurred when a JCB (Jib Crane with Bucket, an earth excavating and handling equipment) dashed against the Satyagraha Express, which was on way to Delhi from Raxaul.

The JCB was engaged in the expansion work at Jahanikhera Halt, which is being converted from a Halt station to a Block station.

Two people, including the JCB bulldozer driver, were killed on the spot, while one of the seven injured later succumbed to injuries at the Shahjahanpur hospital.

The injured have been admitted to the Civil Hospitals at Roza and Shahjahanpur. Medical relief was arranged by Railway and civil authorities at Roza.

Railway officers from Moradabad and Lucknow Divisions as also from the Northern Railway Headquarters have rushed to the accident site to supervise relief arrangements.

The officials said the accident occurred due to the negligence of the contractor who had hired the JCB.

The traffic on the Lucknow-Moradabad route was affected for sometime. The train later left Roza station for Delhi after two of its damaged coaches were detached.

UNI SKS/ARS MA PC1425