In a harrowing incident on Sunday morning, two loco pilots sustained injuries after a goods train collided with a parked counterpart near Sirhind railway station in Punjab. The collision, which occurred around 4 am in the Madhopur area, has prompted swift response efforts from railway authorities and emergency services.
The injured loco pilots, identified as Vikas Kumar and Himanshu Kumar, have been rushed to Sri Fatehgarh Sahib Civil Hospital for treatment, as reported by ANI. Fortunately, no casualties have been reported, alleviating concerns about potential fatalities arising from the collision. A video shared by ANI captures the aftermath of the collision, depicting the damaged trains and ongoing efforts to clear the debris strewn across the railway tracks.
The collision has disrupted the movement of trains in the area, prompting railway officials to implement diversions from Rajpura, Patiala, and Dhuri until normal operations can be restored. Restoration work is currently underway, with authorities working tirelessly to clear the tracks and facilitate the resumption of train services.
In a separate incident earlier in the week, Palghar railway station witnessed a derailment involving six goods wagons and a brake and guard van. Preliminary investigations suggest that the derailment may have been caused by a rail fracture, posing significant challenges for railway operations in the region.
Eyewitnesses recount the chaotic scene as the fully loaded goods train, transporting steel coils towards Mumbai, derailed near the crossing point of the main rail line and loop line at Palghar railway station around 5 pm. The derailed wagons suffered extensive damage, with wheels and couplings severed from the main frame, and an Over Head Equipment (OHE) pole uprooted in the process.
Both incidents underscore the critical importance of maintaining railway safety measures and vigilance to prevent accidents and protect the lives of railway personnel and passengers alike. Authorities continue to investigate the root causes of these incidents to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
