Local train rams into Lokmanya Tilak Express in Haryana, driver killed

Palwal: A train driver was killed and two others were injured on Tuesday morning when a local train rammed into the Delhi-bound Lokmanya Tilak Haridwar Express in Haryana's Palwal district due to foggy conditions.

Passengers of both the trains were safe in the mishap that took place at Baghola village in Palwal district, about 80 km from New Delhi, at around 8:30 am.

The impact of the collision was so severe that the guard bogie of the mail train and the engine of the EMU (electric multiple unit) shuttle train were badly damaged, resulting in the driver and assistant of the EMU getting trapped, according to railway officials.

They were later pulled out by passengers and admitted to hospital where the driver Yashpal died.

While the driver of the Palwal-Ghaziabad EMU was killed, the assistant driver of the train and guard of the express train were injured in the mishap, Northern Railway spokesperson Neeraj Sharma said.

"There was fog in the morning and the EMU driver probably could not see the signal and hit the train from behind," he said.

After receiving signal at Palwal Railway Station, the Mumbai-Haridwar train was cleared for departure towards Delhi. But due to fog, the train was running at a slow speed. Five km from Palwal, near Baghola village, the train was hit from behind by Palwal EMU shuttle, he said.

The injured guard of the express train has been identified as BB Gupta, Railway Spokesperson Anil Saxena said.

The mishap hit road traffic on the route, disrupting the movement of about 15 trains.

General Manager of Northern Railway AK Puthia along with senior railway officials have rushed to the spot and are monitoring the situation.

Northern Railway has opened helpline numbers to provide information about the accident.The helpline numbers are 011-23459748, 1072, and 011-23341074.

Trains en route Palwal-Asaoti section, which were held up, are being cleared through another line.

(With PTI inputs)