At least four passengers of the Ernakulam-Howrah Antodaya Express were injured when their train hit a defunct JCB Machine at a level crossing near Haridaspur station in Jajpur on Wednesday.

As per reports, the JCB developed a snag while crossing a manned level crossing between Haridaspur and New Garhmadhupur railway stations in Jajpur district and got stuck on the down-line track.

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Realising the the train is approaching towards him, the driver of the excavator immediately alighted from his vehicle and left behind the defunct excavator on the railway track.

The train hit the machine and shattered it in to two pieces, said Smruti Ranjan Rout, an eye witness.

The intensity of the collision was so high that passengers of the train were thrown off their seats. At least four passengers suffered injuries, two of them grievously, following which they were admitted to a local hospital.

Later, all the injured were shifted to SCB Medical College and Hospital, Cuttack for further treatment.

The overhead wire and masts of the railway lines were damaged following the accident.

The train remained stranded after the collision, leading to train services between Cuttack and Jajpur Road being disrupted for over an hour on the down-line.

Railway official said that only down-line has been temporarily held up due to the collision, while up and middle-line were free for train movement.

The train was allowed to leave for the destination after three and half hours, railway sources said.

Gateman Jashobanta Swain has been suspended for dereliction of duty and an inquiry has been ordered said railway sources.