(Eds: Adds quotes of railway official, details) Nashik, Feb 13 (PTI) Four railway trackmen were killed after a tower wagon hit them in Maharashtra’s Nashik district on Monday, officials said.
The tower wagon is used for maintenance of overhead equipment in electrified sections.
The incident took place at around 5.45 am between Lasalgaon and Ugaon stations of the Central Railway, the officials said.
The trackmen were working when the tower wagon came from the wrong side and crushed them to death, a police official said.
After getting information about the incident, a team of Lasalgaon police reached the spot. They took the wagon driver into custody, he said.
The four employees were rushed to Lasalgaon rural hospital where doctors declared them dead, the police said.
The deceased have been identified as Santosh Bhaurao Kedare (38), Dinesh Sahadu Darade (35), Krishna Atmaram Ahire (40) and Santosh Sukhdev Shirsath (38), they added.
Later, angry railway employees staged a protest on tracks at Lasalgaon railway station, claiming senior officials did not reach the spot even after three hours of the accident.
The protesters stopped Manmad-Mumbai Lokmanya Tilak Terminus Godavari Express for about 10 minutes.
The agitators were pacified by Bhusawal Divisional Railway Manager SS Kedia who announced suspension of three staffers, as well as Rs 50,000 as immediate relief to the kin of the deceased and stipulated compensation of Rs 25 lakh each in a day’s time.
“Two machines were at work as part the maintenance plan between Lasalgaon and Ugaon. Some gangmen were already working on the track. They lost their lives after being hit by a tower wagon as they did not get warning in time,” Kedia told reporters.
“It is an unfortunate incident. A kin of the deceased will be given a job in the railways soon. All pension and settlements dues will be disbursed quickly. Three persons have been suspended in connection with the incident. A high level inquiry has been initiated,” Kedia informed. PTI COR KK GK BNM BNM
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