A tragic accident occurred on Friday afternoon at an unmanned railway crossing in Dekapam, Jonai, in Assam's Dhemaji district, resulting in the death of a woman from Arunachal Pradesh and critical injuries to another individual. The incident took place around 2:10 PM when a four-wheeler attempted to cross the railway track at the Dekapam Deka-Shantipur unmanned crossing, simultaneously as the Ledo–Murkongselek DEMU express train was approaching at high speed.
Details of the Collision
The train struck the vehicle with enormous force, dragging it for nearly 400 meters along the track. The impact left the vehicle completely mangled, with debris scattered across the railway line. Officials confirmed that the deceased woman has been identified as Rupa Riba, aged 45, a resident of Arunachal Pradesh. She succumbed to her injuries at the scene. The driver of the vehicle sustained critical injuries and was initially rushed to a nearby medical facility. Due to the severity of the injuries, the victim was subsequently referred to Dibrugarh for advanced medical treatment.
Investigation and Aftermath
Police arrived at the accident site promptly and launched an inquiry into the incident. A bulldozer was deployed to remove the mangled wreckage of the vehicle from the railway track, allowing train operations on the Ledo-Murkongselek line to resume. The body of the deceased was handed over to her family members following necessary formalities.
The accident highlights the dangers posed by unmanned railway crossings, which continue to be a concern in many parts of the region. Authorities are expected to review safety measures at such crossings to prevent future tragedies.
