Two injured as train collision lands truck on house in Rajshahi

Two people were seriously injured after a train collided with a truck at a rail crossing in Rajshahi last night (27 February), sending the vehicle onto a nearby residential house.

The accident occurred at the Kashiadanga rail crossing in the city at about 9:30pm. The impact disabled the train's engine and suspended movement on the Rajshahi-Chapainawabganj route until around midnight.

Shamim Hossain, the gateman at the crossing, said a wood-laden truck was travelling from Chapainawabganj to Rajshahi when it stalled a short distance from the rail crossing.

At that time, a shuttle train bound for Rajshahi from Chapainawabganj was approaching the crossing. As the driver restarted the truck and attempted to cross the tracks, the train struck the vehicle from behind.

The collision hurled the truck onto a house beside the railway line, completely demolishing the residence of Nazmul Islam.

Nazmul's mother, wife and daughter were injured in the incident. They were rescued and admitted to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital. Two of them sustained serious injuries and are undergoing treatment there.

The truck driver and his helper jumped from the vehicle and fled the scene.

Railway officials said the train's engine broke down due to the impact, forcing a halt to services on the route.

A relief train arrived about three hours later and towed the affected train to Rajshahi Railway Station, after which train movement resumed.

The railway authorities said an investigation will be conducted into the incident.