24 students injured as goods train rams college bus near Karur in Tamil Nadu

KARUR: A total of 24 students were injured, one of them seriously, after a goods train rammed a private college bus near Velliyanai in Karur district on Saturday evening. The driver of the bus also injured in the accident. Police said most of the students have been admitted to Karur Govt Medical College Hospital and private hospitals in the district while a seriously injured student has been shifted to a Coimbatore hospital.Sources said the accident happened around 6pm when the bus carrying close to 50 students of VSB Engineering College in Karuduyampalayam was trying to cross an unmanned railway crossing. At that time, a goods train that was passing by collided with the rear of the college bus. Locals rushed to the spot and moved the injured students to Karur Govt Medical College and private hospitals. Fire service officials rushed to the spot to clear the debris.Southern Railway said in a statement that the incident happened on a private railway line, which does not fall under their jurisdiction. "It is owned and operated by Chettinad Cements between Veerarakkiyam and Palayam for their clinker movement. This is not owned by Southern Railway. This line has a few unmanned LCs," it said. Further inquiry is underway by Karur police.Karur SP Josh Thangiah visited the spot and inquired about the matter. Karur MLA V Senthilbalaji, MP S Jothimani and others visited the affected at the hospital. Jothimani said the line was separately operated by Chettinad Cements for transporting their goods. "The track had no gate, and it was unmanned. They say it has been like this for 25 years. One student, who suffered a head injury, has been shifted to a private hospital in Coimbatore. We will urge Chettinad Cements to place a gate and man the crossing. Students also wanted a change of driver," she said.