Elephant run over by train

OST Bureau
Rourkela, Nov 26:

A female elephant was killed after it was hit by the Geetanjali Express near here due this morning, reports said.

According to Railway sources, a six member elephant herd was crossing the train tracks between Sagara and Sonakhan under the South Eastern Railway when the mishap occurred. Due to thick fog the driver of the super fast Howrah-bound train Geetanjali Express could not see the animals and that resulted in the accident, Railway officials said.

Railway officials from Rajgangpur rushed to the spot and cleared the tracks. But while Geetanjali Express and Ahmedabad Howrah express passed the line smoothly some other trains were detained at nearby stations, sources said.

Rourkela bound 18108 Koraput Intercity Express, 18418 Rajyarani express and Hatia bound 18452 Tapaswini Express which were running on the same line were stranded for a couple of hours.

Since the accident spot is on the border of Sundargarh and Sambalpur, Forest officials from both districts have reached the place for further enquiry. The carcass of the dead elephant has been buried, reports said.