Train crashed two rickshaws carrying schoolchildren while crossing un-gated railway track.
A train heading to Karachi from Lahore struck two motorbike rickshaws carrying schoolchildren while crossing open gate railway track near Jalal-Pur crossing, according to early information reported by District Lodhran police officer Javid Ahmed.
The Train-Rickshaw collision killed seven students and a rickshaw driver while five other children and one rickshaw driver were critically injured. The injured have been shifted to DHQ Hospital Lodhran.
Officer Javid Ahmed said the rickshaw drivers misjudged the speed of the coming train due to heavy fog during crossing the tracks while train driver admitted his mistake that due to dense fog he was unable to see the signal.
The eye witnesses said that train collided with the vehicle in the presence of railway employee who didn’t close the gates. The present people further said that incident happened due to negligence of railway staff as the crossing gate was left open at the time train arrival.
While Federal Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafiq took notice of the incident and ordered railway official to submit their inquiry report immediately.
Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif and Governor Punjab, Malik Muhammad Rafique Rajwana has showed deep grief and sorrow over the mishap. In their statements, both condoled with the grieving relatives and prayed for the quick recovery of hospitalized. The CM Punjab also order hospital authorities to deliver best medical facilities to the injured.
The Pakistan Railways is causing many incidents since several years, this happens due to politicizing railways institution, corruption, administration negligence and lack of investment.