Tourist coach hit by train on unprotected level crossing in Waskaduwa

A bus carrying  a  group of tourists  to the Airport was hit by train at an unprotected level crossing in Waskaduwa, Kalutara today morning, causing minor injuries to two of the passengers, Police said.

However the tourist coach was badly damaged in the accident.

The driver of the bus told the Police that he had checked before driving across the track,  but had not seen the train approaching as the light of the train was not the usual powerful light. ‘It was similar to the street lamp at that location”, he added.

He said, however after hearing the horn of the train he managed to drive faster and it was only the rear part of the vehicle was hit by the train.

About 20 foreigners were heading to the Bandaranaike International Airport to board a flight at 9.00 a.m. to Czechoslovakia.

Eyewitnesses said that the tourists had narrowly escaped  a major disaster considering the damage caused to the bus.

Pix by: Sarath Siriwardena