Chennai: In a bizarre rail accident, at least four people were killed and several others injured when a suburban passenger train, hijacked by an unidentified person from Moor Market suburban station near Chennai Central railway station, collided headon at high speed with a goods train coming from Arakkonam at Jeevanagar railway station in suburban Vyasarpadi early morning Wednesday. The unknown hijacker was among those killed. According to the police, there were only 35 passengers on the train as it was before daybreak, between 5 and 6:00 am. Following the accident, a fire broke out in one of the coaches of the local train, they said. Four bodies have been retrieved by the fire and rescue personnel, police said, adding that more casualties were feared. Railway traffic was disrupted following the accident, they added. The Mangalore-Chennai Express had a narrow escape as it was behind the goods train.
- Apr 29, 2009