Hyderabad, July 02: Five persons, including three women, were killed when their auto was hit by a train at an unmanned level crossing in Narketpally mandal of Nalgonda district on Friday evening. Among the victims were four farm workers and the auto driver. Five others were severely injured.
The mishap took place when the auto driver tried to cross the tracks near Kondapakagudem village even as the Palnadu Express was fast approaching. The train hit the auto at great speed and dragged the vehicle for some distance before coming to a screeching halt. Five occupants of the auto died on the spot. Their bodies were mutilated while the auto ended up as a mangled mess under the impact of the crash.
Sources said despite warnings, the auto driver, Vijay Kumar, proceeded to cross the tracks leading the passengers to a death ride. The victims were identified as Lingaiah, Parvathamma, Andaalu and Komaramma. They were on their way to Narketpally from Kondapakagudem to purchase goods in the weekly market.
The railway police shifted the injured persons to a hospital in Narketpally. The train was on its way to Secunderabad from Guntur when the accident occurred. The bodies were later shifted to the government hospital for an autopsy. A case has been registered.
Meanwhile, angry locals stopped Janmabhoomi Express near Kondapakagudem protesting against the negligence of the railway authorities in organising manpower at the level crossings. They demanded compensation to the victims.
-Agencies