Four Intermediate students die, one injured after being run over by train in Srikakulam of Andhra Pradesh

In a tragic incident of track trespassing, four Intermediate students died, and another sustained grievous injuries on Wednesday, after being run over by a train between Naupada and Tekkali railway stations in Srikakulam district, falling under the purview of the South Coast Railway (SCoR) zone limits.

According to railway officials, the incident occurred at around 12:45 p.m. when Train No. 18117 (Rourkela–Gunupur Express), which departed from Naupada station at 12:40 p.m, hit the five persons walking on the railway tracks.

The deceased have been identified as Anguwada Visakha Rao (17), Janni Dileep Kumar (17), Janni Sharat Kumar (17), all hailing from Damara village in Tekkali mandal, and Savara Shiva (17) from Savara Street in Meliaputti village. All the victims were first-year Intermediate students of a government junior college in Tekkali. They died on the spot.

Another student, Ganguwada Salman Raju (18) from Damara village, sustained critical injuries. He was rushed to the government hospital in Tekkali in an ambulance that reached the accident site at 1.30 p.m.

Senior railway officials, along with Railway Protection Force (RPF) and Government Railway Police (GRP) personnel, rushed to the spot. The Self-Propelled Accident Relief Medical Equipment (SPARME) from Palasa (PSA) was mobilised to provide comprehensive relief support.

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu expressed shock over the tragedy and offered condolences to the bereaved families.

Officials briefed the Chief Minister that the students failed to notice the train.

Mr. Naidu directed the authorities concerned to ensure advanced medical care for the injured student and extend the necessary support to the bereaved families.

Union Civil Aviation Minister K. Ram Mohan Naidu enquired about the incident and offered condolences to the grieving families.

Minister K. Atchannaidu spoke with the officials about the circumstances that led to the tragedy.

Srikakulam Collector Swapnil Dinkar Pundkar and Superintendent of Police K.V. Maheswar Reddy instructed the local administrative and police wings to submit a detailed report.

The police have registered a case and launched an investigation.