Three children killed in Cuddalore train–school van accident.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has announced an ex-gratia of ₹5 lakh each to the families of the three children who tragically lost their lives in the Cuddalore train-school van accident. Eyewitness accounts revealed that the railway gatekeeper had allegedly dozed off, failing to close the gate, which led to the van being hit by a train. The negligence has sparked outrage, with officials suspending the gatekeeper and launching a high-level inquiry into the incident.
Tragedy at Cuddalore Railway Crossing: Three School Children Killed in Train-Van Collision
In a heartbreaking incident that shook Tamil Nadu on Tuesday morning, July 8, 2025, three young school children were killed and two others, including the driver, were seriously injured after their school van was struck by a passenger train at a manned level crossing near Semmankuppam village in Cuddalore district.
The tragic accident occurred around 7:45 a.m. when a van belonging to Krishnaswamy Vidyanikethan, a private CBSE-affiliated school in the region, attempted to cross railway gate number 170—a non-interlocked manned gate located between Cuddalore and Alappakkam stations. At the same moment, train no. 56813 Villupuram–Mayiladuthurai passenger was speeding through the track and rammed into the vehicle, leading to the death of three children on the spot.
The Sequence of Events
According to initial reports, the school van, which was carrying four students at the time, tried to cross the railway track despite the train’s imminent approach. Eyewitnesses claim that Pankaj Sharma, the gatekeeper on duty, had allegedly dozed off and failed to lower the gate barriers in time to prevent the van from entering the track.
Tragically, three children died instantly, while the fourth student and the van driver sustained critical injuries. Both were immediately rushed to the Government Hospital in Cuddalore, where they are currently receiving medical treatment. Their condition remains serious, according to hospital authorities.
Conflicting Accounts and Preliminary Inquiry
While public anger swiftly turned toward the gatekeeper, who was reportedly beaten by an enraged crowd shortly after the accident, a preliminary inquiry by railway and district officials has introduced another dimension to the tragic event.
According to official sources, gatekeeper Pankaj Sharma had, in fact, begun the process of closing the gates upon noticing the train’s approach. However, it is alleged that the van driver insisted on crossing the track, ignoring the danger and bypassing the protocol. Authorities now believe that human error on both sides—the gatekeeper’s delayed action and the driver’s recklessness—contributed to the disaster.
An official from Southern Railway noted, “This is a non-interlocked manned gate, and while the gatekeeper is responsible for manually closing the gate, there are procedures in place that were likely ignored. A detailed inquiry is underway to establish the exact timeline of actions taken by both parties.”
Emotional Aftermath and Government Response
The accident has left the Cuddalore community in a state of deep shock and grief. Heart-wrenching scenes were witnessed as distraught parents, school authorities, and local residents gathered at the accident site and the hospital.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin responded swiftly to the incident, expressing his condolences to the bereaved families and announcing an ex-gratia compensation of ₹5 lakh for the families of the deceased children. He also assured that strict action would be taken against those found responsible for the tragedy, and he emphasized the need for systemic reforms to ensure that such incidents do not recur.
No parent should go through such pain. We will ensure a thorough investigation and take all necessary steps to prevent such tragedies in the future.”
Calls for Accountability and Reform
The incident has reignited debates over safety protocols at manned level crossings, especially non-interlocked gates, which rely heavily on human vigilance and manual operations. Transportation and safety experts have stressed the urgent need to modernize railway infrastructure and introduce automated interlocking systems to reduce reliance on human intervention.
Additionally, several parents and activists have raised concerns about school transport safety. School vans need to be operated with extreme caution,” said a local resident, pointing to a larger issue of untrained or negligent drivers operating school vehicles.
Railway unions and employee associations have also reacted strongly, stating that gatekeepers are often overworked and under-resourced. A spokesperson for the All India Railway Employees Federation (AIREC) stated, “While negligence is unacceptable, we must also acknowledge that many gatekeepers work long hours in isolated locations without adequate rest or support.”
Investigations and Action Taken
The Southern Railway administration has suspended the gatekeeper, Pankaj Sharma, pending further investigation. A formal inquiry committee has been constituted to determine the lapses in protocol and responsibility.
Police have also taken the school van driver into custody for questioning. Charges of negligent driving and endangering lives under relevant sections of the IPC may be filed depending on the outcome of the investigation.
A Wake-Up Call
Whether it was a momentary lapse in attention or reckless urgency, the loss of three innocent lives cannot be undone.
As Tamil Nadu mourns the loss of its young students, the demand for accountability, better safety infrastructure, and more responsible road and rail management grows louder. For the grieving families of the children, however, no compensation or apology can ever fill the void left behind.