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| India train crash: Two Britons dead and 'many' injured | India train crash: Two Britons dead and 'many' injured |
| (4 months later) | |
| Two Britons have been killed after a train chartered by 37 tourists derailed in northern India. | Two Britons have been killed after a train chartered by 37 tourists derailed in northern India. |
| Two British women were killed and at least five other passengers injured when the train – known as the Toy Train - derailed in Haryana state, on Saturday afternoon. | Two British women were killed and at least five other passengers injured when the train – known as the Toy Train - derailed in Haryana state, on Saturday afternoon. |
| Three coaches of the train went off the tracks on the Kalka to Shimla line – a single gauge railway known for its stunning views of the Indian Himalayas. | Three coaches of the train went off the tracks on the Kalka to Shimla line – a single gauge railway known for its stunning views of the Indian Himalayas. |
| The train, which was hired by York-based company Great Rail Journeys, was rounding a curve when the coaches derailed, Neeraj Sharma, a railway official told the Associated Press. | The train, which was hired by York-based company Great Rail Journeys, was rounding a curve when the coaches derailed, Neeraj Sharma, a railway official told the Associated Press. |
| He said the two Britons died instantly in the accident, which happened at about 1.30pm. | He said the two Britons died instantly in the accident, which happened at about 1.30pm. |
| Officials of the Northern Railway company said that the derailment happened close to Taksal station, which is just over one mile away from the northern hill town of Kalka. | Officials of the Northern Railway company said that the derailment happened close to Taksal station, which is just over one mile away from the northern hill town of Kalka. |
| The British High Commission and Great Rail Journeys are sending staff to offer support. | The British High Commission and Great Rail Journeys are sending staff to offer support. |
| A spokeswoman for Great Rail Journeys said: “Great Rail Journeys confirms that there has been a train incident in India involving one of its escorted groups, travelling from Kalka to Shimla. | |
| “A total of 37 people were on board, including Great Rail Journeys’ tour manager. | “A total of 37 people were on board, including Great Rail Journeys’ tour manager. |
| “Great Rail Journeys’ local representatives are at the scene of the accident and a number of people in the group have been hospitalised. | “Great Rail Journeys’ local representatives are at the scene of the accident and a number of people in the group have been hospitalised. |
| “Detailed information is awaited and will need to be verified carefully before it can be confirmed by the company. | “Detailed information is awaited and will need to be verified carefully before it can be confirmed by the company. |
| “Great Rail Journeys is sending three senior members of its team to the scene on the first available flight departing today, together with two qualified counsellors. | “Great Rail Journeys is sending three senior members of its team to the scene on the first available flight departing today, together with two qualified counsellors. |
| “The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is liaising with Great Rail Journeys to assist with speedy issue of visas. | “The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is liaising with Great Rail Journeys to assist with speedy issue of visas. |
| “The company was established over 30 years ago and this is the first serious train accident in which it has been involved." | “The company was established over 30 years ago and this is the first serious train accident in which it has been involved." |
| Hugo Swire, Minister for Asia, said: “I am deeply saddened that two British nationals have been killed and many other injured in a train accident in Northern India. | Hugo Swire, Minister for Asia, said: “I am deeply saddened that two British nationals have been killed and many other injured in a train accident in Northern India. |
| "My thoughts are with their family and friends at this difficult time. | "My thoughts are with their family and friends at this difficult time. |
| “Teams from the British High Commission in New Delhi and Deputy High Commission in Chandigarh are on their way to the area to help all those affected.” | “Teams from the British High Commission in New Delhi and Deputy High Commission in Chandigarh are on their way to the area to help all those affected.” |
| Shimla, the capital of Himachal Pradesh state, has been popular with the British since the time of the Raj, when it was designated as the summer capital of British India. | Shimla, the capital of Himachal Pradesh state, has been popular with the British since the time of the Raj, when it was designated as the summer capital of British India. |