Recounting the fear and shock following the derailment of the Rajdhani Express, passengers of the New Delhi-Dibrugarh train today said it was a “night to forget’’.
Rita Nath of Guwahati, who suffered injuries on her head and chest in the derailment, said, “All the passengers in the coach had early dinner and went to sleep.
“I was sleeping on my berth when I suddenly felt the train tilting to one side. It tumbled over before I could get up. I lost consciousness after that,” Rita told reporters from her bed at the Patna Medical College and Hospital here.
“I regained consciousness after some time. It was dark all around. My limbs were numb and my head was paining. Some people pulled me out. I was thinking of death. This is one night I would like to forget in my life,” she said.
13-year-old Mauli Dhawan was also sleeping when the accident took place. She was travelling with her relative Pawan Kumar and both have suffered head injuries.
Mauli said, “One uncle broke the window of my coach. He pressed my head, which was bleeding. Somebody wrapped a bandage and I was brought here.”
Kavita Saikia of Tinsukia in Assam escaped unhurt, but her husband Achintya Saikia was not so lucky. He received head injuries and cuts on his legs.
“I am worried because he is a heart patient. We had gone to Delhi for his treatment and while returning had got berths in B-2 compartment. Most of the people travelling in my coach were injured. We were rescued after much effort,” she said.