Chennai: Four dead, many critical after falling off suburban local train

Chennai : At least four persons died after falling off from an overcrowded suburban train St Thomas Mount station in Chennai. Reports confirmed that some of them were travelling on the footboard and they fell off the train with other passengers. Besides death, five were severely injured in the shocking accident. They have been rushed to the city hospital and are currently in critical condition. 

Speaking to Newsheads source, one Railways official said, "When the train was arriving at St.Thomas Mount, 10 passengers were hanging out of the door. They seem to have hit a wall or a pole and fallen down. Train was extremely crowded. Four people have died, others have been rushed to a hospital for medical attention." 

The bizarre incident took place at 8.25 am on Tuesday, July 24. A press release by the Railways states, "At St. Thomas Mount station the shoulders bags of male commuters travelling on footboard hit against the Railway cement fence and 10 passengers have fallen down at 8.25 hrs from the running train (T.No.40701 – Chennai Beach – Tirumalpur Passenger) between Km17/2 – 17/4. Immediately Govt Railway Police Personnel, Mambalam and Railway Protection Force Personnel, St Thomas Mount, attended the spot. 6 injured passengers were rushed by 108 Ambulance to Government Hospitals at Royapettah and GH Chennai. 3 have been reported as dead on the spot. One Passenger expired on the way to the Hospital." 

The St Thomas Mount station is located along the Chennai Beach–Chengalpattu section of the Chennai Suburban Railway Network near Guindy. Being situated along important businesses and industries, it is the busiest station among all nearby halts.