Eleven persons, including three women, were killed and as many injured when a speeding minibus skidded off the Bankim Setu flyover while attempting to overtake another and fell 40 feet below on railway tracks at Howrah station in Kolkata today.
Eight persons were killed on the spot and three died in hospital when the minibus from Sankrail near Nazirganj rammed into the railing of the flyover while racing against another minubus and fell onto railway tracks between platform numbers 11 and 12, the police said.
There was a loud screeching sound as the vehicle plunged off the flyover and hit the overhead traction wires sending sparks flying before overturning. As it fell on the tracks, its roof was torn off, an eyewitness said.
Train services at the Howrah station were disrupted for some time. Railway sources said that the overhead traction was switched off as a precautionary measure from platform numbers 10 to 23. A railway medical team and senior officers immediately rushed to the accident spot.
Railway minister Mamata Banerjee visited the injured at the hospital.