Echoes of trauma: The emotional aftermath of a devastating train accident

Anubhav Das, a PhD scholar in Geology and Climate Studies at Indian Institute of Technology-Bombay, was travelling from Shalimar (West Bengal) to Cuttack (Odisha) — his hometown — after conducting field research in the Sundarban Mangrove Forest. He had boarded the Coromandel Express at around 3.20 pm, blissfully unaware of the impending tragedy that awaited the train that he was travelling in.

Around 6.30 pm, a loud bang jolted the passengers, marking the beginning of a nightmarish sequence of events. Initially shrugging it off as a minor incident, Das and his fellow passengers soon discovered the magnitude of the accident. The Coromandel Express had derailed and collided with the coaches of a goods train. To his astonishment, he also learned that the last three coaches of the Yesvantpur-Howrah Express, travelling in the opposite direction, had met the same fate.

Moving toward the front of the train, Das witnessed the shocking sight of the mangled Coromandel Express. Coaches were toppled over each other. “It resembled a war-torn area,” Das tells The Federal over the phone from Cuttack. The scene was filled with blood, severed limbs, and unrecognisable bodies. “As far as the eye could see, lifeless bodies lay scattered amidst pools of blood and torn garments,” he recollects. Among the grim tableau were headless figures, limbless forms, and individuals whose limbs dangled precariously, threatening to detach completely.

The chaos was such that identifying faces became an impossible task, as they were smudged with a macabre mixture of blood and dust. The train tracks, once a symbol of connectivity, had been ruthlessly dismantled, while live wires hung perilously at a low height. “It was a truly petrifying sight, but amidst the terror, we rallied together, doing whatever we could to provide aid and support,” says Das.

He and his fellow passengers provided assistance to the injured passengers. Offering them water and makeshift bandages using bedsheets, they tried to alleviate their suffering. The quick response and support from around 300 locals, who brought food and first-aid supplies, proved invaluable in those critical moments.

The arrival of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) with gas cutters marked the start of the arduous rescue operation. Over the course of an hour, Das had already witnessed the bodies of more than 250 victims. The emotional toll was immense as he encountered children crying for help, separated from their parents, and frantic parents desperately searching for their loved ones.

Slowly, railway authorities arrived at the scene. Ambulances swung into action. Eventually, officials organised buses to transport passengers like Das, who had long distances to cover. The emotional distress was temporarily masked by adrenaline but became apparent later, Das discovered.

As Das reached home, the scale of the accident began to sink in. The images he saw brought a newfound understanding of the danger he had narrowly escaped. The emotional toll, though initially suppressed, eventually made its presence felt. “Coming out alive from such a catastrophic event feels like a miracle. It’s akin to being reborn,” he says. Being in the AC 1 tier coach at the end of the train turned out to be a stroke of luck for him, as it was the only coach that remained unscathed.

Surviving a train accident is a harrowing experience that leaves deep emotional scars. It can also lead to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD, a complex mental health condition that can develop after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. Train accidents, with their potential for devastation and loss of life, qualify as such traumatizing events. The survivors are exposed to scenes of chaos, injury, and even death, which can have a lasting impact on their psyches.

Such accidents disrupt the lives of survivors in unimaginable ways. Physical injuries may heal with time, but the psychological wounds often remain hidden, silently festering within survivors’ minds. The aftermath of such an event can trigger a range of symptoms, including vivid flashbacks, nightmares, hyperarousal, and emotional numbness. These symptoms, collectively known as PTSD, can profoundly affect survivors’ ability to resume their normal lives.

PTSD manifests in various ways, affecting the mental health and daily lives of survivors. Dr Manoj Kumar, associate professor (Clinical Psychology) at Government Medical College & Hospital, Chandigarh, says that the traumatic memories tend to get etched on the minds of the survivors. Witnessing the devastation, the loss of hundreds of lives, and the sight of crushed bodies can leave an indelible mark; these accidents are not easily forgettable, as anxiety and panic attacks can become frequent occurrences.

Dr Kumar adds that PTSD can lead to profound changes in an individual’s mental well-being. Memory formation becomes distorted, leaving lasting impressions that are hard to ignore. Sleep disturbances, including nightmares and insomnia, become common, and survivors may develop a fear of travelling by train or even using other modes of transportation.

The mental health of survivors is profoundly affected, often leading to interpersonal issues. The recurrence of distressing images and terror-filled dreams disrupt their sleep and daily functioning. They may avoid crowded places and choose not to go anywhere alone. Dr Kumar emphasises that recognising these behavioural changes is crucial not only for the survivors themselves but also for the people around them. Even individuals who witness the incident indirectly, through media coverage, can develop similar symptoms.

Survivors of train accidents, says Dr Kumar, should not blame themselves for their chosen mode of transportation or hold themselves responsible for the incident. “It is essential for society to offer empathy and understanding rather than judgment. First aid and immediate support should be provided, allowing survivors to process their trauma without added guilt or self-blame,” says Dr Kumar, adding that persistent symptoms of PTSD for over two weeks warrant seeking professional help.

Dr Kumar advises consulting a clinical psychologist or psychiatrist if difficulties in sleep, eating disorder, panic attacks, or distress persist. Timely intervention and counselling play a vital role in aiding the healing process. With proper support, most individuals can gradually recover within a couple of weeks, although each person’s journey is different.