Odisha: Puri-Surat train derails after hitting elephant near Sambalpur
BHUBANESWAR: Puri-Surat Express Train (02827) derailed at 2.04am on Monday after hitting an elephant between Hatibari and Maneswar railway stations of Sambalpur division of the East Coast Railway (ECoR).
Due to the accident, all wheels of the engine’s front trolley got derailed. “Nobody is injured in the incident and all passengers are safe. One elephant is killed in the incident,” said a railway officer.
The Surat-bound train had departed from Puri at 7.45pm on Sunday. The train departed from Hatibari at 1.55am with a speed of 50km per hour as elephant caution was already imposed. The elephant was entangled with the engine, said the ECoR statement.
Divisional railway manager (DRM) of Sambalpur, Pradip Kumar, with all senior officers and relief train reached the spot. New engine reached the spot and already all coaches of the train pulled back to Hatibari station.
“Only six wheels are derailed. The engine with the driver and the assistant loco pilot are safe. Forest department officers led by DFO Sanjit Kumar reached the spot and started inquiry with DRM Sambalpur and other senior railway officers,” said the ECoR.
The train will run soon after rerailment of the affected engine. Puri-Durg special express was controlled at Jujomura at 2.18am, while Koraput-Bhubaneswar special was controlled at Sambalpur at 3.20am.