A serious train accident occurred near Bilaspur station in Chhattisgarh on Tuesday evening, resulting in 11 deaths and injuries to 20 others. The collision took place around 4 pm when a local passenger MEMU (Mainline Electric Multiple Unit) train, traveling from Gevra in Korba district to Bilaspur, crashed into a stationary goods train from behind.

The impact was so powerful that one of the passenger train’s coaches climbed on top of a wagon of the goods train. A railway official confirmed the severity of the crash, describing it as “devastating.” Among the dead was the loco pilot of the MEMU train, while his female assistant suffered serious injuries.

Survivor Recalls Moments Before and After the Crash

One of the survivors, Sanjeev Vishwakarma (35), a resident of Bilha in Bilaspur, shared his horrifying experience. He said he was scrolling through his phone moments before the collision, while others in the coach were chatting or sleeping.

“Suddenly, around 500 metres after leaving Gatora, the train shook violently and crashed into something. There was a thunderous sound followed by people's screams...Then everything went dark,” Vishwakarma told PTI from his hospital bed.

He added that he was sitting in the first coach, which had around 16-17 passengers, including men, women, and children. After the crash, he found himself pinned under a seat and realised his coach had climbed onto the goods train.

“People were crying for help…I saw bodies right in front of me. Three people, including a woman, died. Their faces still haunt me,” he said with visible distress.

Passengers Describe Chaos and Panic

Another passenger, Mohan Sharma, a marketing professional from Raipur, recalled how fate played a cruel twist. He had initially planned to travel by the Link Express but decided to save time by taking the MEMU train instead.

“Although I de-boarded this train, thinking of once again taking the Link Express but again boarded the same,” Sharma said.

He described how, while using his phone, he suddenly felt a violent jolt. “The next thing I knew, I was thrown to the floor. My phone flew away,” he said. When he looked outside, he saw the first coach resting on top of the goods train’s wagon.

“My right leg was trapped, I couldn't move it. Railway staff pulled me out and rushed me for treatment. It all happened in seconds,” Sharma recalled, adding that if the train had slowed down even a little, many lives could have been saved.

Young Student Injured in the Mishap

Mehbish Parveen (19), a BSc Mathematics student, was also in the first coach. She was returning from Janjgir-Champa district after attending a family wedding. “It was supposed to be a happy journey back,” she said.

Parveen suffered a broken leg and vividly remembered the chaos. “My leg broke. I can't forget the screams as everyone was shouting for help,” she told PTI.

Investigation Underway

Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the collision. Preliminary reports suggest that the passenger train might have ignored a signal or failed to stop in time before hitting the goods train. Rescue teams and railway officials quickly reached the site to assist the injured and recover the bodies.