Tuesday, June 21 2005 11:03 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Gamariah (Jharkhand): At least 24 people were injured when 2802 down Puri-bound Purushottam Express from New Delhi collided head on with a stationary train engine in Gamariah yesterday (Jun 20, 2005) night.

The accident occurred at about 2150 hrs (IST) when the train came on the same track on which the engine was stationary between Birajpur and Gamariah rail stations under Chakradharpur division, Railway Protection Force Inspector K Pathak told sources in Gamariah.

The SLR coach, the second from the engine, which carries luggage besides passengers, derailed under the impact of the collision. The coach was also broken into two parts, a PTI reporter who visited the spot saw. All the injured were inside this bogey.

A general compartment, which was immediately after the SLR coach was also damaged. Leaving these two coaches, the train has left for Jamshedpur, en route to Puri, from the accident site, Divisional Commercial Manager M N Ojha said.

The railway has set up a telephone help line in Jamshedpur: 0657 - 2290117.

While six seriously injured persons -- four railway staff and two RPF jawans were taken to three Jamshedpur hospitals, others were given first aid at the mishap site.

Ojha said an inquiry would be ordered to ascertain how the engine came on the track of the express train.

Sanjay Kumar, a passenger who boarded the train from Gaya for Chakradharpur, said, ''We felt a sudden jerk at about 10 pm and the train stopped. After coming out we saw that our train has dashed against an engine.''