Rayagada: Goods train drags ambulance with patients on track, watch
A goods train reportedly dragged an ambulance with eight patients on track between Sikarpai and Bhalumaska stations on the Rayagada-Malkangiri via Koraput line on Monday.
Rayagada: A goods train reportedly dragged an ambulance with eight patients on track between Sikarpai and Bhalumaska stations on the Rayagada-Malkangiri via Koraput line on Monday.
Sources said that the ambulance of a private eye hospital was carrying eight patients from Kanipai, Kanjam Jodi, Jhakudu, Betalang, and Chakrakalang villages under the Sikarpai panchayat of the district. An ASHA worker was also going with them to the Ananta Eye Hospital for eye surgery.
However, the emergency vehicle got struck on the middle of the railway track. In the meantime, a goods train, which came on the track and dragged the ambulance nearly 100 meters before the alert loco pilot applied emergency brakes, bringing the train to a halt. Fortunately, none of the occupant f the ambulance were injured following the incident.
Meanwhile, the East Coast Railway (ECoR) has issued a clarification over the incident. “Thanks to the vigilance of the loco pilot, who promptly applied the emergency brake, a major mishap was averted. All patients and the driver had already evacuated the ambulance before the collision, resulting in no injuries,” it said adding that the area where the incident occurred had been securely fenced off on November 3, 2024. However, villagers had illegally removed the fencing, leading to this case of trespassing.
