Balasore: A five-member family from Bihar, who were traveling in the ill-fated Coromandel Express, had a miraculous escape from the deadly Odisha train accident.
Atal Bihari from Patna along with his wife Kumari Sabitri, their two daughters of seven and 11 years, and their four-year-old son were traveling to Chennai in an S2 coach of the Coromandel Express for a medical check-up of his elder daughter Mahi. They had no clue that they would have to go through such a devastating accident.
Narrating the horrific scenes of the train accident, Sabitri said, “My entire family was sitting together in the lower berth seats in a relaxed mood. Suddenly, we heard a huge explosive-like sound, before we could think that we met an accident, our coach overturned while pitch-black dark and dust were everywhere around the circle.”
“People were crying and everyone was searching for their family and friends. When I sought my children, my husband said he was holding our son in his hands and he is safe. Then, I also found my other two daughters, all were safe, by the grace of God,” she added.
Atal said his entire family managed to come out of the overturned coach through the emergency window.
“I saw that people who were sitting and standing near the doors of the coach died on the spot. It is like a rebirth for my family…we will never forget this incident,” Atal said.
After finding all of his family safe, Atal told his kids that God has saved them and now there is no need to worry. As the kids were in shock due to the horrific incident, they decided to stay in a hotel for two days, so that their fear will lessen. The family resumed their journey to Chennai on Sunday.
It is worth mentioning here that 275 persons have been killed and over 1,100 injured in the tragic train accident that took place at Bahanaga station in Balasore on Friday.
(With inputs from IANS)
