"They either tried to cross train in wrong manner or were standing on tracks": Railway official on Pushpak Express accident

Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], January 22 (ANI): 11 people have died in the accident and 6 others are injured after some passenger of the Pushpak Express were hit by Karnataka Express. Jalgaon SP Maheswar Reddy said that no one is in critical condition.
The Executive Director of the Information & Publicity Department of Railway Board, Dilip Kumar said that few people pulled the alarm chain and then tried to cross the rail track in a wrong manner or were standing on the tracks.
Speaking to ANI, Kumar said, "A few passengers pulled the alarm chain on Pushpak Express and deboarded the train. Bengaluru-New Delhi Karnataka Express was coming from the other side. We have received information of grievous injuries to a few passengers after getting hit by it. Several people had boarded the train from Bhusawal and one of them pulled the alarm chain. After that, they deboarded the train and either tried to cross the train in a wrong manner or were standing on the tracks. Due to this, they were hit by the train."
"Bhusawal Divisional Railway Manager has left for the spot, the medical team is there, and local admin is there as well. Railway's senior section engineer is there as well. Other senior doctors and ambulances have been arranged," he added.
Central Railway Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO), Swapnil Nila said that they have taken help from local administration and nearby hospitals.
"Near Pachora in Jalgaon Pushpak Express which was coming from Lucknow towards Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, an incident of alarm chain pulling occurred. After this incident, a few passengers deboarded the train. At the same time Karnataka Express was crossing through there and going in the opposite direction, we have come to know that a few passengers were hit by that train. As primary information, 7-8 passengers have suffered injuries," Nila told ANI.
"We have taken the help of local administration to take care of them. We have also sought help from nearby hospitals. Railway's accident relief medical van has also left from Bhusawal and it will reach the site soon... Karnataka Express has resumed its onward journey and Pushpak Express will resume the journey after help is provided to injured passengers," he added.
The Divisional Commissioner of Nashik, Praveen Gedam confirmed the death of eleven people in the accident.
"As per the information, 11 people have died in the accident and 5 others are injured. Police and other officials are at the spot. 8 Ambulances and several railway rescue vans have been sent to the spot...District Collector and DRM are in contact and all possible help is being provided," Gedam told ANI.
"Passengers of Pushpak Express were on the track when they met with an accident as Karnataka Express was passing through an adjacent track. We are on the spot. Additional SP, SP, Collector and everybody is on their way. We are coordinating with DRM and Railway officials. Additional rescue vans of Railway and Railway ambulances are being rushed to the spot," he added.
Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs 5 lakh for the kin of the deceased.
"The state government will provide financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh to the heirs of those who died in the unfortunate accident in Jalgaon district, and the state government will also bear the entire expenses of the injured. I pray to God for the speedy recovery of the injured," he said. (ANI)