Two people were killed and five others seriously injured when detached railway coaches from an oil train crashed into three vehicles at the Khankhanapur rail gate in Rajbari on Sunday night.
The tragic and unusual accident occurred at approximately 8:30 pm when a passenger bus an easy bike, and a Mahindra three-wheeler were struck by the runaway train bogies.
The deceased were identified as Malek Sheikh from Shamukkhola village in Baliadangi upazila and Monowar Hossain Patwari, a resident of the Goalanda More area in Sadar upazila. Police confirmed both victims were passengers in the Mahindra.
According to eyewitness Jamal Molla, a Rajbari-bound oil train was passing through the Khankhanapur crossing. Unbeknownst to the crew, the last five coaches had separated from the main train. Seeing the engine and front section clear the crossing, the on-duty gateman mistakenly assumed the train had fully passed and raised the barrier.
As the waiting vehicles moved onto the tracks, the detached, free-rolling rear coaches slammed into them.
Shariful Hossain, a passenger on the Faridpur-Daulatdia bus, recounted the terrifying moment: "The gateman raised the barrier after the train left. Just as our bus tried to cross, the trailing bogies hit us and throwing the bus to the side of the tracks. Several passengers were injured in the sudden impact."
The collision was catastrophic for the smaller transports. The easy bike and Mahindra were heavily crushed. Eyewitness Badsha Khan reported that the Mahindra was dragged nearly a kilometer down the tracks. Fire service personnel had to cut through the mangled metal to rescue the trapped driver and passengers.
Ahladipur Highway Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Maksudur Rahman Murad stated that highway police and fire service teams immediately launched a rescue operation.
"Seven critically injured individuals were rushed to Faridpur Medical College Hospital. Tragically, one person died shortly after arrival and a second victim was declared dead a short while later" OC Murad confirmed.
Authorities reported that traffic on the adjacent Dhaka-Khulna highway remains normal. Wreckers are currently working to remove the damaged bus and the Railway Police have been notified to launch a formal investigation into the mechanical failure and the gate management protocol.
