20-year-old Seema Khandagale was a resident of Vasind and was on her way to college to submit her application for the final year exams on Wednesday, says a media report.
She was run over by an express train while crossing the tracks at the Asangaon Railway Station. Witnesses say that the girl, a student of the local Sonubhawu Baswanak College, was chatting to someone on her cellphone and thus, couldn't hear warnings from other commuters.
Seema Khandagle was a resident of Vasind, and was on her way to college to submit her application for the final year exams. The college is located right next to the tracks on the eastern side, and most students cross the tracks to reach it instead of using the road or the foot overbridge.
Shabbir Bagwan, a constable with the Government Railway Police (GRP), said, once Seema got off the train, she started crossing the tracks. “She was using the hands-free and was chatting with someone on the phone while waving her hands. That's when the Howrah Mail the station on the same tracks from behind.”
Bagwan says he and some commuters on the platform shouted at Seema to move away.
“But she couldn't hear us.“She realised there was a train on the tracks only when it was right behind her. She tried to step aside, but fumbled as there was a local coming on the adjacent tracks. She was hit by the Howrah Mail on head. We rushed to the spot and took her to the hospital, but it was of little help,” he added.
Police traced Seema's parents and informed them about the accident. Her father Dattatray Khandagle said, “I could not believe it. She had left the house just an hour ago.
She usually travels with her classmates but had no company that day.”
He regrets buying her the cellphone. “I wanted that her to be contactable when required. But I never thought that the same cellphone would cost her her life.”
The accident has also come as a wake-up call for Seema's college authorities who have now instructed their student against walking on the tracks.
Sharnappa Sagar, the principal, said, “Students are already shocked… We are speaking to each class individually and are requesting students to use the road to reach the college.”
