The mangled remains of the SUV after it came in the way of the train in Nawada on Tuesday. Picture by Sanjay Choudhary

Patna, Dec. 16: Five persons were killed and six others were seriously injured today when a speeding train hit the SUV carrying them at an unmanned railway crossing in Nawada district.

The injured were admitted to Sadar hospital in Nawada, where the condition of five was stated to be critical.

Police said the incident took place around 9.30am, when the Gaya-Howrah Express rammed into an SUV carrying 11 persons at an unmanned railway crossing near Safiganj-Leelabigha village under Warsaliganj block of Nawada district, around 100km northeast of Patna.

Four persons were killed on the spot, while the fifth died on way to hospital. The deceased were identified as Ramjan Ali, Mohammed Majad, Tipu Sultan, Mohammed Akbar and Mohammed Javed, all residents of Pakri Baraya village in Nawada district.

A senior police officer said the victims were returning home after attending a wedding ceremony. On hearing the cries of the victims, some residents rushed to the spot and rescued the victims from the vehicle.

The SUV was badly damaged in the accident. Local residents told the police that the train dragged the SUV for over 100m.

The movement of trains on the Nawada-Kiul section under the Danapur railway division was disrupted for about seven hours following the accident. Different trains remained stranded at one place or the other on the affected railway track.

Senior railway officials said the accident may have occurred because of poor visibility in fog. “Dense fog had enveloped the area since morning. The accident might have been caused owing to that,” said assistant railway engineer L.N. Singh.

Agitated over the incident, a group of residents blocked the traffic and paralysed the movement of trains, demanding setting up of a railway halt near Safiganj, a railway gate and adequate compensation to the victims’ families.

On being apprised, Nawada district magistrate Lalanji and superintendent of police Parvez Akhtar rushed to the spot and pacified the agitators. The protesters dispersed only after the district magistrate apprised the former of the government’s announcement for payment of compensation to those killed in the mishap.

The traffic on the section resumed around 3.30pm.

Chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi has announced a compensation of Rs 3 lakh to the kin of each deceased.

East Central Railway chief public relations officer Arvind Rajak, however, confirmed the death of only four persons in the incident. Rajak clarified that there was no provision to provide any compensation to the people while crossing unmanned railway crossings.