Penukonda:
Karnataka MLA Amaregowda Bayyapura was among the lucky passengers of the ill-fated Hampi Express as he escaped unhurt when the train collided with a goods train throwing three coaches ahead of their AC bogie off the rails and claiming 25 lives.
Mr Bayyapura, who represents Kushtagi in Raichur district, said that he was lucky to be alive as he was travelling in a 2-tier AC coach, which was fourth from the engine.
"I woke up to a loud thud and after alighting I saw two of the coaches on top of the engine and the wheels of the coaches broken apart," he told PTI.
The BJP MLA expressed grief over the death of a number of poor labourers from Gadag, Koppal and Bellary who were travelling on the train.
At least 25 people were killed and 70 injured when Bangalore-bound Hampi Express collided with a goods train at Penukonda Railway Station.