A festive shopping trip turned tragic when a train hit and killed a mother and her 18-month-old son at Narsingdi Railway Station on Wednesday night.
The deceased were identified as Sathi Begum, 27, and her son, Safwan Hasen. The victims’ husband and father, Sujan Mia, a day labourer from the Kararchar area of Shibpur upazila, and their nine-year-old daughter, Samia, narrowly escaped the accident.
According to family members, Sujan Mia, who works as an easy-bike driver and a mason’s assistant, had taken his family to Narsingdi town on Wednesday afternoon to buy new clothes for the upcoming Eid-ul-Adha. The accident occurred at approximately 8pm as the family was attempting to cross the railway tracks to return home.
Witnesses and police stated that the fast-moving, Dhaka-bound Cox’s Bazar Express struck Sathi and Safwan as it passed through the station. At the time, another train was stationary at platform number one.
A devastated Sujan Mia recounted the harrowing moment he tried to save his family. “I saw the train coming and screamed and shouted to stop her, but it was no use,” he said. “I have lost my wife and my innocent child before my eyes. What will I have left for Eid tomorrow?”.
Following the collision, Sujan Mia rushed his wife and son to Narsingdi District Hospital, where attending doctors pronounced them dead on arrival.
Narsingdi Railway Police confirmed that the mother and son died on the spot after being thrown by the impact of the high-speed train. Authorities stated that further legal action will be determined following discussions with the bereaved family.
