Mathura train collision
{{Short description|Fatal train accident in India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2025}}
{{Use Indian English|date=January 2016}}
File:Train accident2 North India November2009.JPG
File:Train accident North India November2009.JPG
The Mathura train collision occurred at 05:00 local time (01:30 UTC) in dark conditions near Mathura, in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India, on Wednesday, 20 October 2009. At least ten people were initially feared dead in the incident.{{cite web |url=http://sify.com/news/8203-10-killed-in-deadly-Mathura-train-collision-news-Features-jkvijXhhjch.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091024034737/http://sify.com/news/8203-10-killed-in-deadly-Mathura-train-collision-news-Features-jkvijXhhjch.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2009-10-24|title=10 killed in Mathura train accident|accessdate=2009-11-01}} The collision occurred when Goa Express rammed into the stationary Mewar Express from behind at an outer signal, about 3 km from outer Mathura. Both the trains were headed for Delhi. Further details suggested that the death toll exceeded 20 people.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8317765.stm|title=Train crash kills more than 20|accessdate=2009-11-01|publisher=BBC News | date=2009-10-21}}
Derailment
According to S S Khurana, the Chairman Railway Board, the Goa Express hit the other train from behind at 4:50 a.m. 3 km from the outer signal of the Mathura junction station. Several coaches of both trains were reduced to mangled heaps of metal. The Indian Army had to be summoned with sophisticated gas cutters for rescue work. The Mewar Express had come to a halt after Munna Sajid, an undertrial who was being escorted by Rajasthan policemen, pulled the chain. Sajid, an alleged dacoit who was being brought for a hearing in Delhi, reportedly escaped by jumping from the moving train. The railway ministry claimed that prima facie the accident was caused by "human error" and blamed the Goa Express drivers for failing to spot the signal warnings on the line. The driver, R K Chaturvedi, and assistant driver Laxmikant were taken off duty pending inquiry. An official said the driver was not drunk. "The engine of Goa Express ripped through the SLR van at the rear of the other train. Under the impact, the pantry car of the Goa Express which was at the farthest end of this train was also damaged. Two people in this coach -- both railway employees -- lost their lives," said SSP (Mathura) B D Paulson.{{citation needed|date=April 2019}}{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Goa-Express-rams-another-train-22-dead/articleshow/5147059.cms|title=Goa Express rams another train; 22 dead|accessdate=2009-11-01|work=The Times of India|first1=Dwaipayan|last1=Ghosh|first2=Neha|last2=Lalchandani|date=2009-10-22}}
Compensation
Railway minister Mamata Banerjee sought a Central Bureau of Investigation inquiry into the incident and announced an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh for the next of the kin of those killed in the train mishap. "The seriously injured passengers would receive Rs 1 lakh while those with minor injuries will get Rs 10,000," she said. In Mathura, UP agriculture minister Laxminarain Choudhry announced an ex-gratia of Rs 10 lakh for the next of the kin of the deceased besides offering a job.
See also
References
{{reflist}}
{{2009 railway accidents}}
{{coord missing|Uttar Pradesh}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Mathura train accident}}
Category:2009 disasters in India
Category:October 2009 in India
Category:2000s in Uttar Pradesh
Category:Railway accidents in 2009