Kanchanjunga Express accident: Travelling sans reservation, 35-yr-old standing at coach door jumps to safety
Times of India | 18 June 2024
NEW JALPAIGURI: Thirty-five-year-old Ashis Das didn't get a seat in the general compartment of the 13174 DN (Silchar-Sealdah) Kanchenjunga Express, so he stood at the gate. At the moment of the collision, he instinctively jumped off. The crash left at least five in his compartment dead and 46 injured. Though shaken, Das escaped with minor bruises after he fell in a soggy patch of ground.
Speaking to TOI, Das said, "I usually visit my house in Burdwan's Lohapur once every month.Since I work at a rice mill in Jalpaiguri, I have to stay away from home where my parents, wife and my six-year-old son live. I had returned to work 20 days ago but my father called me a couple of days ago and asked me to visit home since our house was recently damaged in heavy rain."
"Since it was all at the last moment, I couldn't get a reservation and had no option but to board the general compartment of the train at Jalpaiguri Road on Monday morning. I was supposed to reach Burdwan by 5.30 pm. At NJP, I bought some food for my journey and was standing next to the door as the train started off. My distress at not getting a reservation was largely soothed by the thought that at least I was going to meet my son in the evening," he added.
Das, visibly shaken, said, "The train had just crossed Rangapani station when there was a sudden jolt. I didn't know what happened, but instinctively, I jumped off the train. I stood up in a muddy patch to see that the coach was topsy-turvy. I saw people lying in pools of blood; others were screaming for help. Coaches were scattered along the track. The cries for help suddenly made me feel weak. I work in a rice mill, which requires basic strength. But I lost my nerve today. I still don't know what made me jump off the train."
"The railway officials at NJP have assured me they will make sure I reach Burdwan," Das said.