A horrific accident was averted at the congested Khardaha railway station level crossing in North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal (about 25 kms North of Sealdah station in Kolkata) at around 9.10 pm on Sunday 2024-07-14. 

Even while the gate was being lowered, a Mahindra Scorpio, an app cab and some sundry vehicles and road users had sneaked in onto the railway lines between the two barriers. The gateman couldn't have waited for the vehicles to pass through the other gate because the down Hazarduari Express was already given the green signal and was approaching the level crossing. Any further  delay to lower the gates fully would have resulted in more 2, 3 and 4 wheelers and pedestrians to sneak in through the partially lowered gates. 

The Scorpio being a longer vehicle had its rear end jutting onto the railway track obstructing the free passage of the approaching train while the front was blocked by the fully lowered gate. 

The express train hit the rear end of the Scorpio at full blast. The SUV flung and hit the app cab on its sides. Fortunately, there were no casualties or injuries. The train driver brought the train to a grinding halt within a couple of seconds after the crash. 

Hopefully, this will be an eye opener to vehicle drivers/ riders and pedestrians who are always in a tearing hurry to sneak in to the railway tracks even while the gates are being lowered. It happens not only in West Bengal but almost all over India! 

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* Mishap And Calamity