Southern Railway orders probe into train-trailer collision 

Southern Railway investigates collision between train and trailer, rewarding Loco Pilot and Assistant Loco Pilot for averting disaster.

Southern Railway has ordered an investigation into the collision involving Train No 16352 Nagercoil - Mumbai Express and a trailer at a closed level crossing in Tiruchi Division last Sunday.

According to railway sources, a high-level team has been constituted to inquire into the circumstances that led to the collision between Parikkal and Tiruvennnainallur Road railway stations resulting in a potential major accident situation that was averted by the timely action of the Loco Pilot and his assistant.

While nobody was injured in the incident, the locomotive hit and dragged the trailer to some distance leaving a portion of it encroaching the adjacent track where the Chennai-Vaigai Superfast Express was fast approaching from the opposite direction. The Loco Pilot and Assistant Loco Pilot took immediate steps to alert the nearest Station Master to stop Vaigai Express and also placed mild intensity detonators and a Red Flag on the track about 1,000 metres ahead of the accident site as per the safety protocol.

On how the tractor entered the tracks when the level crossing was closed, Southern Railway spokesperson M. Senthamil Selvan, quoting preliminary investigation, said the tractor driver had removed the barricades to enter into the railway track territory. On seeing the train approaching, he disconnected the trailer and took the tractor away from the track.

The level crossing (LC-144) was closed with the approval of the Villupuram District Collector in September 2018 and a new Rail Over Bridge was constructed. The tractor trailer driver unauthorisedly entered the railway track after removing the barricades. “There are no unmanned level crossings in Southern Railway. Where the level crossings are closed, barricading / trenching across the roads have been provided at railway limit to prevent trespass at these locations,” he said.

Mr. Selvan said 596 Limited Use Subways were constructed replacing manned and unmanned level crossings in the zone in the Last 10 Years. Construction of 185 subways was underway.

Meanwhile, Southern Railway has announced a reward of ₹5,000 each to Loco Pilot P. Arunkumar and Assistant Loco Pilot A. Ramanathan of Madurai Division for averting a major mishap by swiftly responding when the Nagercoil - Mumbai Express collided with the trailer stuck on the track. Their prompt action ensured no casualties and prevented a possible accident on the adjacent track.