Death toll in Aluthgama rail tragedy rises to six

Sandasen Marasinghe

The death toll in the train and van collision at an unprotected railway crossing near the Aluthgama railway station on Tuesday evening increased to six with the death of a 22-year-old woman who was receiving treatment at the Intensive Care Unit of the Nagoda Hospital.

The Police said the van driver who was injured and receiving treatment at the Darga Town Hospital was taken into custody and produced before Court.

Dammika Jayawardena, Dinishika Madushani, Rani, Rashmi Kaushani and Binaramali died on the spot when the Colombo-Aluthgama train rammed into the van at the level crossing near Depot Road, Poorvaaraama Temple in Aluthgama.

Five others were hospitalised including the driver. Police Spokesman SP P.M.H.B. Siriwardena said Lakshmi Madushani,22, died early last morning.

The victims were residents of Dodangoda, Kalutara.

The van was dragged about 200 metres along the rail track and thrown into a nearby stream.