Police and witnesses said the accident took place at about 8:30 am when the Dhaka-bound Subarna Express ploughed into the three-wheeler as it stopped and got stuck on the unmanned level crossing.

The deceased are Rekha, 22, wife of Mohammad Shahjahan, an expatriate living in Saudi Arabia, his sister-in-law Munni, 18, and nephew Mizan, 7.

The injured--Hazera, 15, and tempo driver Kamal--were admitted to Feni Sadar Hospital.

Shahjahan's younger brother, Hanif, got down from the tempo and tried to move it by pushing, but the train did not give him time to succeed in his hectic effort to save his near and dear ones.

"As the train ripped through, the tempo skidded 100 yards off the scene," witnesses said.

On information, police rushed to the spot, recovered the bodies and sent them to Feni Sadar Hospital for autopsy.

Family sources said the victims were returning home at Uttar Chhanua village in Sadar upazila from Neyamatpur village by the three-wheeler.