Elderly man found dead on railway track

An elderly man was found dead on a railway bridge after apparently being hit by a train in Akkelpur upazila of Joypurhat on Saturday morning.

The deceased was identified as Atahar Ali, 75, from Kanupur village under Rukindipur Union in the upazila. His body was recovered from railway bridge No. 276, south of Akkelpur Mohila College, early in the morning.

Local resident Abdul Momin said, "he spotted the body while walking in the morning. He suspected that the elderly man had been hit by a train sometime during the night."

Ratan Chandra, a resident of Kanupur village, said Atahar was his neighbour and had gone to Dhaka for medical treatment a few days earlier. He said Atahar might have been returning home on foot along the railway tracks after getting off at Akkelpur station. He used to live in the village with his wife, while other family members stayed in Dhaka.

Akkelpur Railway Station Master Abu Sayeed said, 'he had received information about the death on the bridge. He said the Panchagarh-bound Up Drutajan Express, which left Akkelpur station at 5:20 AM on Saturday after departing Dhaka, might have hit the elderly man. 

However, the train involved in the incident has not been confirmed.

Officer-in-Charge of Santahar Railway Police Station Dulal Uddin said, "police had been sent to the scene following the incident. The body would be recovered and taken to the police station, and legal procedures were underway, he added.