An engine and two coaches of Amritha Express bound for Madurai suffered minor damages after an earthmover hit the express train at an unmanned level crossing between Chathirapatti and Palani railway stations in Dindigul district on September 10.
Two persons travelling in the heavy vehicle were injured and were rushed to the Government hospital in Palani.
According to sources, the earthmover that was coming from Ramapattinapudur and proceeding towards Mattupadhai came too close to the broad gauge track. “Though the visibility of the track was good from the road, the driver failed to notice the train and took the vehicle too close to the railway track,” a railway official said.
The speeding train, coming from Thiruvananthapuram, hit the earthmover and it was thrown away for a few metres at around 10.40 a.m.
The engine, a seating-cum-luggage rake and general second class coach suffered minor damages in the impact of the accident. The train was detained for nearly an hour at the spot before it resumed its journey towards Madurai.