Jajpur: At least four passengers, travelling in the Ernakulam-Howrah Antodaya Express, were injured after the train hit a defunct excavator at a level crossing near Haridaspur station in the district on Wednesday.

Of the four injured, the condition of two persons is stated to be serious.

The mishap took place around 10.15am, officials said.

According to eyewitnesses, the excavator machine developed technical snag while crossing a manned level crossing between Haridaspur and New Garhmadhupur railway stations in Jajpur district and got stuck on the down line railway tracks. Realising that a train was heading towards the level crossing, the driver of the excavator immediately alighted from it and went away from the spot leaving behind the defunct vehicles on the tracks.

At that time, the Ernakulam-Howrah Antodaya Express was crossing the spot and it collided with the excavator shattering it into two pieces.

"The excavator was crossing the level crossing near the north side of Haridaspur railway station when the gate was open. But, it suddenly stopped midway on the railway tracks. The vehicle's driver tried to run it, but failed. A few minutes later, the Ernakulam-Howrah Antodaya Express came on the same track and collided with the vehicle, which, as a result, turned into pieces," said Smruti Ranjan Rout, an eyewitness, who happened to passing by the spot.

The intensity of the collision was so high that passengers of the train were thrown off their seats. At least four passengers suffered injuries, two of them grievously, following which they were admitted to a local hospital. Later, all the injured were shifted to SCB Medical College and Hospital in Bhubaneswar.

The overhead wire and masts of the railway lines were damaged following the accident.

A technical snag was developed in the train shortly after the accident. As a result, the train had to be stationed there.

Train services between Cuttack and Jajpur Road had been totally disrupted over an hour on the down line after the accident. Later, only the down line has been temporarily held up, while the up and middle lines were free for train movement, East Coast Railway sources said.

The train left for the destination after three-and-a-half hours, railway sources said.

The Khurda Road divisional railway manager has suspended the level crossing's gate man Jashobanta Swain for dereliction of duty. Besides, an inquiry has been ordered into the incident.

"Action will be initiated against those found guilty," said the divisional railway manager.