Mysore, Jun 13 (DC): Train services between Mysore and Bengaluru were affected for about three hours on Saturday following an accident at an unmanned level crossing at Naganahalli, on the outskirts of Mysore. Railway officials said the Mysore bound Yeshwanthpur-Mysore train (No 7304) slammed into a truck, killing the truck driver, Dinesh Kumar, 34, on the spot and injuring the truck cleaner and three passengers in the train.

The truck was wrecked under the impact of the collision with its parts strewn all over the place. The truck driver was thrown out of his vehicle and was found dead at a distance from the scene of the accident. Two wheels of the coach next to the engine went off the track making the train come to a screeching halt after it ran for some distance, said eye witnesses. The left portion of the coach was partially damaged.

Railways authorities said the accident took place around 3:30 pm. The truck belonged to the contractor who was engaged for the track doubling work. A relief train with men and material was rushed to the accident site from Mysore railway station to clear the line for normal traffic.

The section was cleared for normal traffic three hours after the incident at around 6.10 pm. Trains moving towards Bengaluru from Mysore were rescheduled while the Mysore-bound Tipu Express was halted en route after the accident.

The Mysore-Mayiladuturai Express, Mysore-Tirupathi fast passenger, Mysore-Tuticorin Express and Mysore-Bengaluru passenger train left Mysore station behind schedule. The relief train left the accident spot with passengers after the repair was undertaken. Many of them reached Mysore in other modes of transport. Railway authorities distributed an ex-gratia of Rs 500 to the injured passengers.

Locals at Naganahalli claimed the negligent attitude of the railways authorities was responsible for the accident as they had not paid heed to repeated pleas for a manned level crossing. “Three months ago, a man was killed by a train while he was crossing the track,” said Jayanna Kasargod, a local. Many petitions were submitted to the railways authorities but no action has been initiated so far, he said.

Passengers at Bengaluru city railway station were also delayed because of the mishap. “The accident occurred at around 3.30 pm but the track was cleared only by 7 pm. The Bangalore-Mysore passenger train which was supposed to start from Bengaluru at 4.30 pm, could begin its journey only by 5 pm,” Akil Agarwal, railway divisional manager told.