2 run over while crossing rail track

CHENNAI:  Rail line trespassing claimed two lives and injured another at Chromepet railway station on Thursday.The victims were attempting to move to an adjacent platform by crossing the track, when they were hit by a fast approaching Electric Multiple Unit. Another commuter, who also took the same route to the platform, fortunately escaped with minor injuries. The Government Railway Police sources (GRP) said an 18-year-old boy -- later identified as Nagamani of Maduranthagam in Kancheepuram district -- was waiting along with an unidentified person for Tambaram bound train in Chromepet railway station around 7 pm. Noticing a Tirumalpur bound train on the fast lane platform, they decided to reach there by crossing the railway track instead of using the foot overbridge. In the process, they were hit by a Chennai Beach bound suburban fast train from Chengalpattu. Both died on the spot. Bodies were sent to the Government General Hospital for postmortem, the sources added. “Commuters prefer to risk their lives by crossing the track, despite repeated pleas. This results in fatal accidents,” GRP Inspector R Vimalan told Express. “We have taken many initiatives to educate people on the high risk involved in walking on track, but it has evoked little response. Moreover, incidents of trespassing are high in Chromepet due to the presence of educational institutions and other establishments in the vicinity,” he added.The GRP has registered a case and investigations are on to identify the 50-something person who was accompanying the boy.