Alert train driver averts major tragedy

Chennai, May 26 (UNI) Passengers of the Chennai-Madurai Vaigai Superfast Express had a miraculous escape today when the alert train driver averted a major mishap at an unmanned level-crossing between Vridachalam and Senthurai Stations of the Southern Railway.

Official sources told UNI here, a sugarcane-laden tractor trailer got struck on the tracks at the level-crossing even as the train was fast approaching.

The panic-stricken truck driver tried to reverse the vehicle and in the process, the vehicle overturned throwing the sugarcane into nearby pit.

The villagers who gathered at the site, started shouting, signalling the train driver who applied sudden brakes and brought the train to a halt much to the relief of the passengers and the villagers.

The trailor was removed and the train left for Madurai after a dealay of about 15 minutes.

A journalist, who was in the train, told UNI over phone that the passeners had a miraculous escape as the superfast train was running at top speed.

UNI WS-GV GM PR PC1743