A man and his mother lost their lives after a CNG-run auto-rickshaw was struck by a train at an unprotected level crossing in Feni town on Saturday.

The victims were identified as Hafizul Islam, 40, of Miazi Bari in Pathan Nagar union under Chhagalnaiya upazila, and his 63-year-old mother, Fatematuzzohra.

According to police and eyewitnesses, the Chattala Express train collided with the auto-rickshaw at the Godown Quarter rail gate around 7:00pm when the vehicle attempted to cross the tracks, ignoring the warning signal. The impact left the auto-rickshaw mangled and severely injured its occupants.

Locals rushed to the scene and took the injured to Feni General Hospital, where Hafizul was pronounced dead. Fatematuzzohra was referred to Dhaka Medical College Hospital but died en route, according to a relative, Masum Billah.

Eyewitness Didarul Islam said the auto-rickshaw was travelling from the hospital area toward Trunk Road when it disregarded the signal and moved onto the tracks. He added that five people were in the vehicle at that time, and three of them managed to jump off before the collision.

Feni Railway Station Master Md Harun said train operations resumed shortly after the accident.

Sub-Inspector Iqbal Hossain of Feni Railway Police confirmed that Hafizul`s body was sent to the hospital morgue for autopsy. A case of unnatural death has been filed with Laksam GRP Police Station.