SRIKAKULAM: Over 45 passengers travelling by a bus had a miraculous escape when the vehicle tried to cross a manned level-crossing near Pathapatnam Wednesday evening on seeing the gates open, but the alert bus driver immediately rode it back after noticing an approaching passenger train. According to sources, the guards near the railway crossing did not close the gates even when the passenger train was approaching. On seeing the gates open, the RTC bus, heading from Tekkali to Pathapatnam, tried to cross the railway track. But then, up on noticing that the train was so close, the alert driver immediately drove the bus back, even as a few commuters jumped out of it.
The passengers had a heated argument with the railway staff for their negligence. Meanwhile, the police intervened and convinced the people that the issue would be brought to the notice of the railway authorities and necessary action would be taken. It is learnt that the railway guards at the level-crossing were not given any walkie-talkie or other devices to communicate and they had been closing the railway gates only by watching for approaching trains.