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112:"After the first impact, the bus spun around and hit the train again. I have been in this job for 41 years, and this is the first time something like this has happened." It was thought that the bus driver was racing another bus driver and competing for passengers. The bus driver, who survived with only a broken ankle, initially refused to speak about the crash to investigators.
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The bus was destroyed and the wreckage caught fire, killing many people who had been thrown the tracks in front of the train, which managed to stop shortly after striking the bus. It was thought that more than 35 people were killed in the crash. All survivors from the bus sustained injuries. None of
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The barriers on the crossing only covered the lane for oncoming traffic, allowing the bus driver to drive through on the wrong side of the road with visibility obscured further due to vegetation in area. The Sri Lankan government promised to prevent races by private bus companies, who competed for
109:. "The signal was green and the level-crossing gates were closed, then I saw the bus trying to cross and the next thing I know, the engine was hitting the rear of the bus," the train's driver, H. A. Sirisena, said.
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The bus was struck by an intercity express train from
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customers by advertising fast journeys, often violating
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74:Learn how and when to remove this message
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178:Ramanayake, Wasantha (April 23, 2004).
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515:Level crossing incidents in Sri Lanka
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151:List of rail accidents (2000–present)
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