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Two more feared dead, over 20 injured:
One killed as three trains collide in Alawwa
by Ranil WIJAYAPALA
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One person died and over 20 were critically injured when three
trains collided at Alawwa yesterday. Sri Lanka Railways sources
said the accident took place after a train crashed into the rear
of another which was in turn pushing the stalled Kandy-Colombo
train. Here a critically injured person being evacuated. Pic: R.
G. Jayarathna
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A foreigner was killed, while two more were feared dead and 20 others
sustained injuries as three trains plying on the same track collided in
a row at the Alawwa railway station on the Main Line yesterday evening,
Police and Railway sources told the Sunday Observer.
According to a senior official from the Alawwa Police station, a
foreigner travelling in the observation carriage of the Kandy- bound
intercity train from Colombo died in the crash.
Railway sources added that the engine driver was also feared dead.
They were trying to rescue another commuter trapped inside a carriage
after cutting it open. Sources also said that those who travelled in the
observation carriage sustained injuries.
A senior Police officer said that no identification documents have
been found with the foreign national who died in the accident.
According to Police, 17 injured commuters were admitted to the
Kurunegala Teaching hospital. Three of them were undergoing treatment at
the Alawwa hospital. Dr. Rajamanthree, Director of the Kurunegala
Teaching hospital told the Sunday Observer that 14 patients who received
injuries in the train accident were undergoing treatment at the
Kurunegala hospital. Seven of them were men including two priest, while
seven women were also among them.
“One person underwent abdominal surgery, while the others were being
treated for leg fractures”, she added.
A spokesman for the Train Control Room told the Sunday Observer that
the incident had occurred around 4.30 p.m. when the Kandy- bound
Intercity train which was pushing a freight train that was stalled on
its way to Rambukkana, was hit by another Polgahawela-bound express
train which had come on the same track at the Alawwa railway station.
The spokesman said that all train services on the Main Line and
upcountry line were disrupted following the incident and they were
trying to clear the track after sending breakdown carriages to the
scene.
Meanwhile, General Manager Railways,B.A.P. Ariyarathne who was going
to the scene of the accident told the Sunday Observer that a four-
member team has been appointed to inquire into the incident. Meanwhile,
“We are taking steps to rescue trapped passengers and to clear the track
to restore normal train services,” he added.
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