Saturday, April 23 2005 10:34 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Ahmedabad: The Directorate of Forensic Sciences has taken samples and exhibits from the site and would conduct detailed tests on them to find out the reasons behind the collision between the Sabarmati Express train and a stationary goods train at Samlaya on Thursday (Apr 21, 2005), police sources said in Ahmedabad yesterday (Apr 22, 2005).

Forensic officials, who were at the spot yesterday, have collected exhibits that were part of the lever (of the point that malfunctioned), parts that were destroyed in the impact and other samples from the damaged coaches, the sources said.

Both physical and laboratory tests would be conducted on the samples and exhibits collected from the accident site and a detailed report would be submitted to the Western Railways, the sources added.

The train mishap, claiming 17 lives and injuring more than 125 persons, is being investigated by the Commissioner of Railway Safety who has also taken observations from the accident site during his visit on Thursday.

Railway officials had said that prima facie it appeared that the lineman, a signal line maintainer posted at the B-cabin at Samlaya junction, had erred.

The lineman who fled the scene after realising the enormity of the incident yesterday surrendered before railway police who have recorded his statement.