Belagavi-Bound Vande Bharat Hits And Kills Two First-Year Nursing Students Near Bengaluru

In a tragic incident on the outskirts of Bengaluru on Sunday afternoon, two young Kerala nursing students were struck by a Vande Bharat Express train and died. Their friends, family, and the college community are all deeply shocked by the news.

Vande Bharat Express Runs Over Two Kerala Nursing Students

The victims were identified as Sterlin Eliza Shaji (19) and Justin Joseph (20). Both were first-year BSc Nursing students at a private college in Bengaluru, according to PTI via Hindustan Times. They had moved from Kerala with big dreams and hopes for a bright future in the medical field.

The incident occurred around 2:35 pm, according to the police, close to the Chikkabanavara railway station, a location where trains travel at high speed. According to Hindustan Times reports, Sterlin and Justin chose to cross the railway tracks, a shortcut that many locals frequently take, on their way back to their PG accommodations.

At that very moment, the Belagavi-bound Vande Bharat Express sped through the stretch. The train was moving too fast for them to react or pull back. The impact was so sudden and powerful that both students died on the spot.

Also Read: Starting At ₹5000/Hr, You Can Now Book Namo Bharat Trains For Parties, Pre-Wedding Shoots & More!

CCTV Footage Under Review

Bystanders, local authorities, and railway police gathered at the scene shortly after the accident. Many students from nearby PGs and colleges rushed there too, unable to believe what had happened. According to Hindustan Times, a senior railway police officer said that the investigation is already underway.

CCTV cameras around the tracks are being examined to find out exactly how the tragedy unfolded. Officials want to determine whether it was simply a case of misjudging the train’s speed or if there was any other angle involved, including the possibility of suicide, though nothing suggests that at the moment. To take the investigation forward, the police have filed an Unnatural Death Report (UDR) at the Bengaluru Rural Railway Police Station, Hindustan Times reported.

This incident serves as a reminder of the increasing concern over people crossing railway tracks, particularly in crowded and swiftly moving railway corridors. Currently, the investigation’s main goals are to determine precisely what went wrong and ensure that tragedies of this nature don’t occur again.

Cover Image Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons/Benison P Baby