Kharagpur, 19 August (H.S.):

A heart-wrenching accident at Kharagpur Railway Station on Tuesday claimed the life of an eight-year-old boy, who was crushed under a massive iron beam. The beam had been placed as part of the ongoing Amrit Bharat Project construction work at the station.

According to railway police, the deceased boy lived at the station premises with his father. The tragedy occurred while his father was away at work. Reports suggest that the child was playing near the beam when it suddenly toppled onto him, killing him instantly.

The incident took place between platforms number 5 and 6, where heavy construction activity has been underway for several months under the Amrit Bharat Project. Witnesses said the boy was leaning against the iron beam moments before it collapsed.

Railway police personnel immediately rushed the child to Kharagpur Sub-Divisional Hospital, but doctors declared him brought dead.

Speaking on the incident, SRP of Kharagpur Division, Devashree Sanyal, described the tragedy as “extremely painful” and confirmed that a thorough investigation has been launched. “Our DSP and OC are on the spot, and every aspect of the incident is being examined,” she said.

Police have registered a case of unnatural death and are probing lapses in safety measures at the construction site.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh