In a deeply upsetting incident in Kashipur, Udham Singh Nagar, Rajkumar Sharma, the younger brother of former Congress Block President Suresh Kumar Sharma Jangi, sadly passed away after being struck by a train. The severe accident has profoundly affected the family and local community, as they now struggle with the loss of their cherished member.

The occurrence took place on the morning of January 17, 2025, when local authorities received notification at approximately 10:00 AM regarding a fatal train accident near the Balli Dhaba railway crossing on Bajpur Road. Upon arrival at the scene, Sub-Inspector Prakash Singh Bisht identified the deceased as Rajkumar Sharma, aged 72, a resident of Ramnagar Road, Indira Colony, Katora Tal. His identity was verified by a nearby gatekeeper.

Preliminary investigations suggest that Rajkumar had been tending to his fields situated on either side of the railway track. Eyewitnesses indicated that Rajkumar, while conversing on his mobile phone, attempted to cross the tracks to inspect his fields when the train, en route from Lal Kuan to Kashipur, collided with him at approximately 9:00 AM. Despite bystanders’ attempts to assist, Rajkumar could not survive the collision and passed away at the scene.

The tragic news of Rajkumar Sharma's death has brought immense grief to his family. He is survived by his wife Madhu Sharma, son Rajat Sharma, and daughters Ragini and Ruchita, who are now left to navigate the sudden loss. Family members, alerted to the situation, arrived at the site in distress over the unfortunate event.

This incident raises pressing concerns regarding railway safety, particularly at the Balli Dhaba crossing. The absence of adequate safety measures such as barriers and warning signals has been a persistent issue, with local residents frequently expressing their concerns about the dangers of unprotected crossings. Despite the heavy foot traffic and the regular movement of trains, the area remains insufficiently secured, endangering many lives.

In the aftermath of the incident, the police have initiated an investigation to ascertain the precise cause of the accident. Authorities are currently reviewing available CCTV footage and gathering witness testimonies. There is a specific emphasis on determining whether the victim's conduct or any negligence on the part of railway authorities contributed to the tragedy. Concurrently, local residents have voiced their discontent, calling for immediate safety enhancements to avert similar occurrences in the future.