Train-truck collision kills one in Jessore, halts communications for six hours

A truck driver has been killed and his assistant injured as their vehicle collided with a train in Jessore.

The incident took place at Murli railway crossing around 7:10pm on Saturday.

Due to the collision, train communications between Khulna and other parts of the country were halted for six hours. The services resumed around 1am on Sunday.

Jessore Sadar Chachra police outpost in-charge Inspector Rakibuzzaman said the Chapainawabganj-bound truck laden with coal from Nawapara of Jessore was rammed by the train, leaving its driver, Akbar Ali, 45, dead on the spot.

His assistant named only as Angan, 33, was admitted to Jessore General Hospital, the police official added.

Station Master Aynal Hossain of Jessore railway station said the Khulna-bound Kapotaksha Express from Rajshahi hit the truck as it ran onto the railway track breaking the level crossing bar.

Soon after the incident, train services of Khulna with other parts of the country were suspended. Dhaka-bound Sundarban Express and Saidpur-bound Simanta Express could not leave Khulna railway station as per their schedules, causing sufferings to passengers. 

Manik Chandra, the station master, said a relief train from Khulna reached the spot and the train communications were restored around 1am.