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Schoolboy hit by train as he runs across rail track to witness accident
View(s):In a tragic twist, a schoolboy who ran onto a rail track to get a closer look at an accident was himself killed by an oncoming train, a coroner’s court was told.
Fourteen year-old Liyanapathiranage Prabath from Wanawasala Kelaniya was talking to a friend standing alongside a double track railway line after school last Tuesday when he saw a Colombo-bound train colliding with a motorcyclist, Harsha Perera, a witness said.
He said the schoolboy ran towards the site of the accident along the adjoining track and had not observed an oncoming train. Attempts to alert the youth had failed and he was hit by the train heading from Colombo to Chilaw, the witness told court.  Judicial Medical Officer Dr. W.A.C. Lakmali said death was caused due to multiple injuries to the head, abdomen and lower limbs.
The inquest was held by coroner Ashroff Rumy.