DHAKA: At least five people were killed and seven others injured as a train knocked a human hauler with 16 passengers in it on a rail crossing at Pagla area of Narayanganj Monday night.

The deceased could not be identified immediately.

Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Dhaka Railway Thana Abdul Majid told banglanews that a Narayanganj-bound train hit a human hauler, locally known as Leguna, on a rail crossing at Khajar Tek of Rasulpur area under Pagla Thana of the town around 10:30pm, leaving two passengers dead on the spot and 10 others injured critically.

The injured were rushed to Dhaka Medical College and Hospital (DMCH) where on duty doctors declared three passengers, including woman and child, dead on arrival, he added. “Seven are under treatment.”

OC Abdul Majid alleged that the rail crossing is an illegal one and there was not any lineman.

He also said the human hauler driver tried to cross the rail track quickly even after hearing train’s whistle but the train hit it as its engine went dead on the track.

A wayside fruit vendor was also injured in the accident, he added.

Abdul Majid also said they were processing to file case against the persons who were involved in setting up the illegal rail crossing.

“We also are taking steps to close the rail crossing,” he added.

A witness told banglanews that there was a local person who acted as lineman but he was not appointed by the railway.

BDST: 0821 HRS, JUN 23, 2015
SR