The scene of yesterday’s train crash at Kiriwallapitiya which is between Kodigamuwa and Rambukkana. - (Pics. by Nihal Pushpakumara - Rambukkana Corr.)

by Norman Palihawadane
Ten passengers were killed on the spot and over 200 injured when the Kandy—Colombo Intercity Express train derailed and overturned into a paddy field at Kiriwallapitiya, Rambukkana yesterday.

Twenty five of the passengers, who were in a critical condition had been admitted to the Kandy, Peradeniya and Colombo hospitals.

Two passengers died on admission to the Colombo National Hospital.

Among the injured were three British nationals — two females and a male.

An Indian national was also among the injured.

The engine driver, one guard and three ticket inspectors were among the injured.

According to a senior official of the Railway Department, the derailment had occurred due to brakes of the enginge not functioning properly.

All six carriages of the train had overturned into the paddy field while the engine had skidded off the rail track.

It is suspected that there could be more dead bodies trapped under the overturned carriages, police sources said.