Passengers traveling in the Puri-Surat Express Train-02827 had a narrow escape on Monday when the  Puri-Surat Express train derailed after hitting an elephant between Hatibari and Maneswar railway stations. Some wheels of the engine front trolley derailed on the spot, however, No causality or injury has been reported.

As per East Coast Railway, the train departed from Hatibari at 7.24 am on Sunday at a speed of 50 kmph as elephant caution had already been imposed. However, an elephant tangled with the engine at around 2:04 am of Sambalpur Division of East Coast Railway.

The elephant herd, which stayed guard near the carcass and surrounded the engine for couple of hours, was latter guided into a nearby forest. Forest Department Officers reached the spot and started an inquiry with DRM, Sambalpur and other senior railway officers.

Pradip Kumar, Divisional Railway Manager (DRM), Sambalpur with all senior officers and relief train reached the spot. "Only six wheels were derailed. No causality or injury was reported. Engine with driver and the assistant driver is safe," according to East Coast Railway. 

Train services on the route were affected due to the mishap as Puri-Durg Special Express was controlled at Jujomura and Koraput-Bhubaneswar Special controlled at Sambalpur.

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