Accident: Collision between train and tanker leaves one dead

HYDERABAD: A man lost his life in an accident between a train and an oil tanker on a railway crossing in Hyderabad near Detha Station on Saturday.

The train hit the driving cabin of the tanker and unhitched with its bogies. Luckily, the crash did not cause an explosion in the tanker. No passenger was hurt except the tanker’s driver, Muhammad Rafique, who died after being taken to the Civil Hospital, Hyderabad. A 12-wheeler tanker developed a fault and the vehicle stopped over the track a few minutes before the Faisalabad bound Millat Express was to pass through the crossing. The crossing was not equipped with any communication system or signal.

Sawan Solangi, a member of staff at the crossing said that he could not close the crossing unless he had enough time to see the trains approaching. “When I saw the train’s lights, I tried to help the driver get the tanker off the track,” said Solangi.  He lamented that he could not succeed despite waving the red flags which made the train driver pull the brakes.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 2^nd, 2012.