Tragic End for Young Nursing Students
In a heartbreaking incident that has shocked the educational community, two first-year BSc nursing students from Kerala lost their lives after being struck by the Bengaluru-Belagavi Vande Bharat Express train on Sunday afternoon. The tragic event occurred near Chikkabanavara railway station in Bengaluru, cutting short the promising lives of two young individuals pursuing their dreams in the healthcare field.
Victims Identified and Background Details
The Government Railway Police in Karnataka has officially identified the deceased as Sterlin Eliza Shaji, aged 19, and Justin Joseph, aged 20. Both young students originally hailed from Pathanamthitta district in Kerala and were pursuing their nursing education at Sapthagiri College. Like many students away from home, they resided in a paying guest accommodation located near their educational institution.
The fatal incident took place at approximately 2:35 PM when the high-speed Vande Bharat Express was en route to Belagavi. According to railway officials, the train had already departed from the station and had gained significant momentum when the tragic collision occurred. The impact was so severe that both students died instantly, with their bodies found on the railway tracks in a severely dismembered condition.
Investigation Underway
Authorities have not yet reached a conclusive determination about the nature of the incident. Investigators are actively working to establish whether this was a tragic accident or a case of suicide. The Bengaluru Rural Railway Police and Yeshwanthpur Railway Police station have registered an Unnatural Death Report (UDR) and launched a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
Police officers are currently examining footage from CCTV cameras installed in the vicinity of the accident site and collecting additional evidence to piece together the events leading to the tragedy. Preliminary reports suggest that the students might have been crossing the railway tracks while returning to their paying guest accommodation when the accident occurred.
Railway authorities have confirmed that the train was operating at high speed at the time of the incident, consistent with its scheduled operations after departing the station. Both railway police and administrative authorities have initiated separate inquiries to understand the complete sequence of events and identify any contributing factors.
Aftermath and Family Response
The bodies of the deceased students have been transferred to MS Ramaiah Hospital for formal procedures and documentation. In a devastating turn for their families, relatives of both Sterlin Eliza Shaji and Justin Joseph have arrived in Bengaluru to complete the necessary formalities and take custody of the remains.
This tragic incident has raised serious questions about railway safety measures, particularly in areas where educational institutions are located near railway tracks. The investigation continues as authorities work to provide closure to the grieving families and implement measures to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
