8 rushed to Bangalore Railway Hospital

BANGALORE: Eight persons, who sustained injuries when the Hampi-Bangalore Express they were travelling in hit a stationary goods train at Penukonda, AP, in the wee hours of Tuesday, were shifted to the Bangalore Railway Hospital in the evening.The patients were administered first aid and treatment at Penukonda Government Hospital before being shifted to Bangalore in ambulances.They have been identified as Durgamma of Yelburga, Siddalingappa of Gulbarga, Suben Gulley from West Bengal, Huligappa of Nindgal, Manjunath of Doddabllapur, Eswara of Gulbarga, Naveen of Gadag and Yuvaraj.While Manjunath, Eshwara and Yuvaraj escaped the mishap with minor injuries, the rest sustained serious injuries.It is said that Eshwara, a labourer, who was heading to Kidwai Hospital in the city from Gulbarga for treatment for his tumour lost all his medical reports in the accident.DRM S Mani, Railway Board Chairman Vinay Mittal and Union Minister of State for Railways K H Muniyappa visited the hospital.Mittal told newsmen, “The ex gratia announced to these patients will reach them early. We have instructed the doctors to take care of the patients and not to worry about any medical expenses.” Muniyappa and Mittal advised the doctors to take the help of other hospitals, if necessary, to ensure that all the patients become completely fit, added Muniyapa.Commenting on the inquiry report, Mittal said, “The preliminary investigation is on, and it is found that the accident has occurred due to a signal jump. The Railway Safety Commission will come up with the final enquiry report soon.”Mittal, however, did not give any time limit in this regard. He said their full concentration now was on relief works.Meanwhile, the locomotive pilot, Rathnesh, who sustained injuries on his leg, is said to be under a state of utter shock, and has been sent to his native place, Guntakal.