Bilaspur: “There was a thunderous sound, then everything went dark,” said Sanjeev Vishwakarma, 35, recalling the moment the Gevra Road–Bilaspur MEMU passenger train crashed into a goods train between Gatora and Bilaspur stations on Monday afternoon.

The collision, which occurred around 4 pm, killed 11 people and injured 20 others, officials said. The first coach of the passenger train was thrown onto a wagon of the stationary goods train, crushing passengers and causing widespread panic.

Eyewitness accounts

Vishwakarma, a driver from Bilha, described being pinned under a seat while witnessing fatalities in his coach. “I was sitting in the first coach. There were about 16-17 of passengers, including men, women, and children. Suddenly, around 500 metres after leaving Gatora, the train shook violently and crashed into something. There was a thunderous sound followed by people's screams...Then everything went dark,” he said.

The impact was devastating the first coach mounted a wagon of the goods train, crumpling on impact as metal screeched and windows shattered. “When I opened my eyes, I was pinned under the seat. People were crying for help. My coach had climbed onto the goods train. I saw bodies right in front of me. Three people, including a woman, died. Their faces still haunt me,” Vishwakarma said.

For many, the routine evening ride home turned into a scene of horror. Mohan Sharma, a marketing professional from Raipur, said he had switched to the MEMU train after his regular service was delayed.

“I was using my phone when there was a violent jolt,” he said. “The next thing I knew, I was thrown to the floor. My phone flew away. When I looked out, I saw the first coach resting on the goods train's wagon. My right leg was trapped, I couldn't move it. Railway staff pulled me out and rushed me for treatment. It all happened in seconds.”

Mehbish Parveen, 19, a second-year BSc Mathematics student from Bilaspur, was returning from a family wedding when the train derailed. “I was travelling in the first coach. It was supposed to be a happy journey back. Then came the crash. My leg broke. I can't forget the screams as everyone was shouting for help,” she said.

Geeta Dev Nath, 30, an advocate from Bilaspur, said rescuers took several minutes to pull her out. “The impact was so strong that my leg got trapped. I couldn't move. Rescuers pulled me out after several minutes. I had gone to Akaltara for court work. I never imagined I would return like this,” she said.

All four survivors are undergoing treatment at the Chhattisgarh Institute of Medical Sciences (CIMS) in Bilaspur.

Loco pilot among dead

According to railway officials, the MEMU train was moving at 60–70 kmph when it overshot a red signal and hit the goods train from behind.

“It is now a matter of investigation as to why the loco pilot jumped the red signal and failed to apply the emergency brake in time, even though the goods train was within visible distance,” a senior official said.

Loco pilot Vidya Sagar was among those killed, while assistant loco pilot Rashmi Raj sustained serious injuries.