Van driver, 5 year old killed at unprotected level crossing

Priyadarshani Kahawala Ingiriya Central Group Cor.

A van driver and his employer’s five-year-old son were killed on the spot when the Kelaniweli Express crashed into the vehicle at an unprotected level crossing in Mawathagama, Padukka at around 7 am yesterday.

The victims have been identified as R. A. Hemantha Pushpakumara(39), a father of three from Mawathagama, Padukka and Pasindu Malsara Samarasekara(5) a pre-school student from Galagedara. They were the only occupants of the van.

The train was plying from Awissawella to Colombo. The incident occurred near the Moragahatenna temple in Arukwatta, Padukka. The ‘Kelaniweli’ express was heading for Colombo from Avissawella and crashed into the van which was about to pass the unprotected level crossing. According to eyewitnesses the van was dragged by the train along the tack for about 20 feet.

The bodies were removed to the Padukka hospital.