CUDDALORE: Two school students were killed, and two others along with the driver of a private school van were injured when a speeding train hit the van at a railway level crossing at Semmankuppam in Cuddalore district on Tuesday morning.

The deceased students were identified as Charumathi, 15, and Venkatesh, 10. The two injured students and the driver, identified as Sankar, 45, were admitted to the Cuddalore Government General Hospital. Police said the driver of a private school van carrying four students attempted to cross the railway level crossing at Semmankuppam at 7:45 am on Tuesday when a speeding train from Villupuram bound for Mayiladuthurai hit the van. The impact was huge, and the van was dragged for more than 50 metres. Two students were killed, and two others along with the driver were injured. The van was completely damaged in the impact.

Villagers, on learning about the incident, rushed to the spot even before the rescue team arrived. They rescued the injured and sent them to the Cuddalore Government Hospital. The villagers blamed the gatekeeper for failing to close the gate at the level crossing, which led to the accident.

They alleged that the gatekeeper was asleep while on duty. A few villagers thrashed the gatekeeper, identified as Pankaj Sharma. Sharma claimed that the van driver insisted on keeping the gate open to cross the level crossing. Meanwhile, Southern Railway, which placed Sharma under suspension, has begun an inquiry. Cuddalore SP S Jeyakumar said the reason for the tragic accident could be ascertained only after a detailed investigation.