A goods auto driver and hundreds of passengers in the Tirupati Fast Passenger had a narrow escape after the train hit the front of the auto near Konanur Gate between Nanjangud and Chamarajanagar at 12.30 pm on Sunday.
The accident took place when the auto carrying more than 30 gas cylinders, was about to cross the unmanned Konanur Gate when the speeding train rammed the front portion of the auto scattering the cylinders near the track.
The loco-pilot stopped the train immediately. Driver Mahadevaswamy escaped while cashier Mahadeva sustained injuries on his head and hands.
Mahadeva was shifted in the same train, which was going towards Chamarajanagar where he was admitted in a local hospital.
Railway Police said that they have booked a case against driver Mahadevaswamy under the Railway Act for not following proper instructions before crossing the track.
They said that a major mishap would have happened if the goods auto had come under the train. Fortunately the auto was just entering the gate to cross the track.