TIRUCHY: Scores of women passengers of the Tirunelveli-bound Nellai Express had a miraculous escape following the timely action by the guard who alerted the driver to stop the train after experiencing a jerk on Sunday morning
Two bogies, a women’s coach and that of the guard’s, of the Nellai Express got derailed near Lalgudi in the early hours of Sunday. Fortunately none was injured.
Railway sources said the Nellai Express, with 24 coaches, left Chennai on Saturday night and was nearing Lalgudi around 2 am on Sunday.
When the train had crossed the signal between Valadi and Lalgudi, the guard, Rajasekar experienced a jerk around 2.15 am and alerted the driver who stopped the train immediately.
It was then noticed that the last bogie, a women’s coach, besides the guard, had derailed. The incident was communicated to the higher authorities in Tiruchy immediately.
Meanwhile, the train with all the coaches minus one was taken to the next station to clear the way for the arrival of a relief train from Tiruchy with officials and it came at 3.05 am. The entire machinery was set in motion under the supervision of Divisional Railway Manager P V Vaidiyalingam along with Senior Divisional Safety Officer Subbaiyan.
Trains running on the section were delayed by more than 90 minutes and normalcy was restored around 5.20 am. The Pallavan Express left Tiruchy as per schedule.
Thiruvananthapuram-Chennai Egmore Ananthapuri Express and Madurai-Nizamuddin Express were diverted via the main line — Thanjavur, Kumbakonam, Mayiladuthurai and Villupuram.
On orders from the Divisional Railway Manager, a three-member committee was formed to inquire into the cause of the derailment.