In a gut-wrenching rail mishap, a entire family from Jharkhand’s Pakur was wiped out by the Vande Bharat Express while crossing tracks on foot. The victims—Chandan Sardar, Rinpa Sardar, and their toddler daughter Arpita—died instantly in the collision near Nagarnabi station, sending ripples of sorrow through the district.
Details emerging from the scene paint a picture of unimaginable horror. The family, hailing from Rajapada, had spent the evening at Chandan’s sister’s home in Vikrampur. As dusk fell around 8 PM, they set off on the short walk back, unaware of the speeding train barreling down the Pakur-Rampurhat line from New Jalpaiguri towards Howrah. The Vande Bharat, known for its blistering pace, gave no chance for escape at the crossing between poles 47/40 and 47/38.
RPF and GRP personnel arrived swiftly, securing the area and retrieving the severely disfigured bodies from the tracks. Preliminary reports suggest the crossing lacked adequate barriers or alerts, a common issue in such areas. ‘The sound of the crash was deafening; by the time we reached, it was too late,’ recounted a nearby shopkeeper.
The loss has devastated relatives and friends, who remember the Sardars as a close-knit unit. Chandan’s parents, now childless, are inconsolable. This incident underscores the urgent need for safety upgrades at level crossings, including better signage, gates, and awareness campaigns. Rail officials have initiated inquiries, but for the grieving family, no answers can fill the void left behind. The nation mourns yet another preventable rail tragedy.