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Survivors in a state of shock, unable to recollect details of journey

"The train jerked just before passing over the Kadalundi bridge. There was a big noise. Everyone was thrown out of the seats and the next minute, before I could understand anything, I was neck deep in the mud. Somebody pulled me out breaking open the window after half an hour," said Gopinathan, a resident of Vatakara, who was taken to the Medical College Hospital (MCH) in Calicut for treatment.

Gopinathan, who was in the S6 compartment, was on his way to Madras to attend the funeral of a relative. He was talking to the ticket examiner when the mishap occurred. He had injuries in his head and right leg.

Eight bogies of the train had derailed and four of them plunged into the Kadalundi river.

K Murali, an employee with the construction wing of the Railways in Calicut, was going home to Pothanur. He escaped with minor injuries after local people rescued him by breaking open the compartment, which was partially submerged in water, 45 minutes after the accident.

Murali does not recollect what happened to his fellow travelers.

Ramani, who was traveling to Madras to join her husband, escaped without any injuries as the S-7 coach, which derailed, did not fall into the river. Her son, who suffered head injuries, was being treated at the MCH in Calicut.

Pathumma, 55, a cancer patient who was returning home to Palakkad after treatment at the MCH in Calicut, said she heard a big sound after which she could not remember anything.

The doctor attending on her said she had been discharged from the cancer ward on Thursday. Her injury was not serious, he added.

The condition of most of the 123 injured who had been admitted to MCH was not serious, hospital sources said. However, at least ten persons suffered head injuries and were in a critical condition.

A large crowd of anxious relatives and local people were seen at the hospital premises.

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