Alert loco pilot averts disaster

Kollam, Kerala, Nov 1(UNI) Timely action and presence of mind of a loco pilot averted the possible derailment of Train No 2516 Guwahati-Thiruvananthapuram Weekly Express last night However, a coach of the express train derailed near Munthorothuruthu, 15 km from here, at 2245 hrs and ran over the Munthorothuruthu Station, damaging the platform before coming to a halt.

However, nobody was hurt in the incident, Railway sources said.

The driver noticed a box type material on the track and he reduced the speed thus avoiding a possible tragedy.

Railway Commandant Asharaf ruled out any sabotage in the incident as during inspection it was found that a metal sheet was missing near the bridge.

''There is no hit mark on the track. If it was an attempt for sabotage, the hit mark could be seen on the track''.

''However, the hit mark was seen on the bridge where a metal sheet was found missing and there was no chance of sabotage,'' he told UNI addding that the matter was being probed.

Later, the train continued its journey in the early hours, the sources added.

UNI XR/CGV BDP SSC1103