DARJEELING, :Fifteen-year-old Sushmita Rai
was seriously injured after being struck by Darjeeling Himalayan Railway toy
train and dragged for some distance in Kurseong today around 12:30 pm.
Rai, a class nine student at
St. Joseph’s School, hails from Kailapani at Makaibari Tea Estate.
Bystanders informed that the
incident occurred when Rai and a friend were crossing the railway tracks and
the toy train hit them. Her friend sustained only minor injuries, while Rai
suffered injuries to her leg.
According to locals, both girls
were rushed to Kurseong sub divisional hospital immediately after the accident.
While her friend was discharged from the hospital, Rai was referred to North
Bengal Medical College and Hospital in Siliguri for further treatment.
Sources indicated that the toy
train, which was traveling from Darjeeling to Siliguri, had been delayed by
about 45 minutes before the incident. The train had earlier stopped a short
distance ahead in Kurseong due to a water pipe on the tracks.
DHR officials, speaking on
condition of anonymity, stated that they are investigating the matter.
