Bengal train crash due to driver's fault: Railways

Kolkata, Jul 20: Railway Board Chairman Vivek Sahay claimed that the driver of Sealdah-bound Uttarbanga Express did not apply the brakes and rammed into the rear of Vananchal Express which was pulling out of the Sainthia station.

Addressing a press conference in Kolkata on Monday, Jul 19, Vivek Sahay said, "the drivers neither applied emergency brakes nor made any attempt to stop the train to avert the collision."

Over 63 people were killed on Monday, Jul 19, when the Sealdah bound Uttarbanga Express rammed Vananchal Express from behind at Sainthia station.

Driver MC Dey and assistant driver NK Mandal of Uttarbanga Express, were among the dead in the accident.

Out of the nearly 150 injured, 40 are in a a critical condition, while the bodies of 23 people have been identified.

Railways Minister Mamata Banerjee has announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh and employment to one member of each family of the dead.

OneIndia News