The railway gate was not closed when the train was passing, and the bus driver tried to cross the tracks without realising it.
Published Jul 08, 2025 | 9:18 AM ⚊ Updated Jul 08, 2025 | 5:27 PM
The school bus after the accident.
Synopsis: Three students lost their lives after a train hit their school bus at a level crossing in Sembankuppam in Cuddalore district. The railway gate was not closed when the train was passing, and the bus driver tried to cross the tracks without realising it.
Three students lost their lives after a train hit their school bus at a level-crossing in Sembankuppam in Tamil Nadu’s Cuddalore district on Tuesday, 8 July. The bus driver and a Class 12 student were those injured.
Two of the deceased, Sarumathi (16), and Chellivan (15), were siblings. Sarumathi was a Class 11 student of the Krishnasamy School Semmandalam, while her brother was in Class 10.
Initial reports said only four students and the driver were in the bus when the 56813 Villupuram–Mayiladuthurai passenger train rammed into their vehicle around 7.45 am at Railway Level Crossing Gate 170.
The Indian Railways issued a statement saying the bus driver asked the gatekeeper to open the gate so that he could save time, resulting in the accident. However, the bus driver and a surviving student contradicted the Railways’ version, saying they had not seen the gatekeeper.
Later, the gatekeeper, identified as Pankaj Sharma, was suspended from service and arrested.
The Cuddalore–Mayiladuthurai passenger train had departed as usual at around 7 am. Typically, a railway gatekeeper is assigned to close the gate to facilitate the train’s passage. However, preliminary reports suggested that the gatekeeper on duty was asleep at the time, resulting in the gate remaining open while the train was approaching.
Seeing the open gate, the bus driver assumed that no train was coming and proceeded to cross the tracks. At that very moment, the passenger train was approaching at full speed and collided with the bus at its midpoint.
However, the Railways said its preliminary inquiry found that as the gatekeeper began closing the gate, the van driver insisted on crossing, which should not have been allowed.
The force of the impact was so severe that the train dragged the bus nearly 50 feet along the tracks. The bus was completely mangled in the collision. Locals who witnessed the horrific incident rushed to the scene in panic. The train came to a halt a few feet beyond the point of collision.
Upon reaching the bus, bystanders found students inside in a critical and bloodied state. Emergency services were called in immediately, and the injured were rushed to nearby hospitals.
The Railways said a committee of officers from the safety, operation and engineering branches are investigating the incident. The Railways confirmed that the gatekeeper had violated safety protocols. Disciplinary proceedings, including dismissal from service, was being considered.
The Railways expressed deep regret over the loss of lives and injuries. Railway medical teams are currently monitoring the condition of the injured admitted at the Government Hospital, and arrangements were being made to shift critical patients to JIPMER, Puducherry, if necessary.
Chief Minister MK Stalin announced financial assistance from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund for the victims of the accident. A sum of ₹5 lakh each will be provided to the families of the children who lost their lives.
Those undergoing treatment for severe injuries will receive ₹1 lakh each, while those with minor injuries will be given ₹50,000 each.
The Indian Railways also announced compensation for the victims: A sum of ₹5 lakh will be provided to the families of the deceased, ₹2.5 lakh to those who sustained serious injuries, and ₹50,000 to those with minor injuries.
The railways said a committee of officers from the safety, operation and engineering branches are investigating the incident.
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil with inputs from Subash Chandra Bose.)
