Close Shave on Bardhaman Tracks: Driver's Prerogative Saves Passengers as Two Trains Meet on Same Track
Bardhaman, West Bengal — Two trains mistakenly followed each other onto the same track near the Jhapanadanga Station at Bardhaman district, West Bengal, resulting in a near head-on collision. Panicked that they were about to undergo an accident, passengers of both the trains started jumping off just before reaching the front section of the other train from which a complete commotion arose. Luckily, one train driver responded in nick of time to save all passengers from a great major accident.
Incident Date and Passenger Reaction
The accident took place when a freight train had broken down on the track due to a mechanical failure of its engine. Within a half hour, the Shantiniketan Express (12337), traveling from Howrah to Bolpur, reached the same spot and was observed by the panicking passengers. A few people started running, while a few others tripped and fell on the tracks. A passenger on board remembered that, "The train had stopped but seeing another train in front was horrifying; we feared a collision," a passenger on board noted.
Quick thinking by driver averts disaster
According to eye-witnesses, the Shantiniketan Express stopped at a safe distance from the stationary freight train. Relief was expressed and also credited the alertness of the locomotive driver in the face of disaster. "It was the driver's quick thinking that saved us," one passenger said.
Railway Official on Incident
It was a modern signalling system that prevented any potential danger," said Kaushik Mitra, chief public relations officer of the Eastern Railway. He further added that the freight train stopped because of an engine breakdown. "The automatic signaling system worked as it is supposed to do and the oncoming Shantiniketan Express came to a halt before crossing over the stranded freight train," he said, while ensuring that there was no deficiency in the railway's signalling systems.
Automated Systems and Enhanced Safety
The accident has proved a point that automated signaling is necessary for the safety of the passengers. The Eastern Railway's automated systems ensured that the Shantiniketan Express came to a stop at a safe distance and prevented what would have turned into a fatal accident. The accident has been closed with no more concerns or technical issues on the line.
While railway officials are still inspecting the line for any fault, the passengers and the railway authority alike thank the train driver for being vigilant and the efficiency of the signaling system that saved everyone.
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