Elephant mowed down by train

SNS, Siliguri, 11 October 2013: An adult male elephant was mowed down by a passenger train at Mongpong near Sevoke in Kalimpong sub-division early today. Train services were disrupted after the wild elephant was crushed by the train. 

Several important trains were stranded at New Jalpaiguri station till midday today after the accident. "We have informed appropriate authorities about the incident which took place at 6.50 a.m," said Kalimpong divisional manager Mr T T Bhutia. 

According to initial reports, the Alipurduar-bound train was running above the speed limit in a restricted forest zone despite several reminders and information about the movement of an elephant herd since yesterday. 

Forest officials started their investigation after clearing the tracks. Several wild elephants have been killed by trains in this region in the past three years.