New Delhi, A guard was seriously injured after falling from a moving train when the door handle of his coach broke while exchanging an 'all clear' signal with another train coming from the opposite direction in Vijayawada division, officials said Tuesday.
According to Nusrat Mandrupkar, public relations officer (PRO) of Vijayawada Division in the South Central Railway, the incident occurred on July 7 when the Howrah SF Express (train number 12864) was between Rajahmundry and Samalkot.
"The handle joints had possibly worn out so it broke when train director Y Durga Prasad leaned out of the door to show the green flag to the other train, a safety rule to convey to the other train that everything is fine .the route behind," he said.
The crew on board the Howrah SF Express noticed Prasad's absence after the train reached Samalkot station and the crew of another train complained to officials that the guard did not exchange the 'okay' signal. with them.
"Prasad also did not respond to the walkie-talkie messages. After this, a search was launched and he was found unconscious next to the railway tracks," Mandrupkar said.
According to Railways, the guard was immediately taken to a hospital and is currently on respiratory assistance.
"Senior director of divisional operations and additional director of divisional railways visited the hospital to ensure that Prasad is receiving proper treatment. His condition is being constantly monitored," Mandrupkar said.
Railway officials said this incident should be an eye-opener to train guards, also known as train managers, who should not lean out of the carriage to exchange signals.
"The signals can be exchanged by standing at the door of the carriage and waving the green flag during the day or the green light at night. Peeking into the carriage is dangerous, because anything can happen," said a senior railway official.
"Railways teach passengers that they should not lean out of the moving train, as frequent shaking can cause imbalance and a person can fall from the train," he said.
According to Nusrat Mandrupkar, public relations officer (PRO) of Vijayawada Division in the South Central Railway, the incident occurred on July 7 when the Howrah SF Express (train number 12864) was between Rajahmundry and Samalkot.
"The handle joints had possibly worn out so it broke when train director Y Durga Prasad leaned out of the door to show the green flag to the other train, a safety rule to convey to the other train that everything is fine .the route behind," he said.
The crew on board the Howrah SF Express noticed Prasad's absence after the train reached Samalkot station and the crew of another train complained to officials that the guard did not exchange the 'okay' signal. with them.
"Prasad also did not respond to the walkie-talkie messages. After this, a search was launched and he was found unconscious next to the railway tracks," Mandrupkar said.
According to Railways, the guard was immediately taken to a hospital and is currently on respiratory assistance.
"Senior director of divisional operations and additional director of divisional railways visited the hospital to ensure that Prasad is receiving proper treatment. His condition is being constantly monitored," Mandrupkar said.
Railway officials said this incident should be an eye-opener to train guards, also known as train managers, who should not lean out of the carriage to exchange signals.
"The signals can be exchanged by standing at the door of the carriage and waving the green flag during the day or the green light at night. Peeking into the carriage is dangerous, because anything can happen," said a senior railway official.
"Railways teach passengers that they should not lean out of the moving train, as frequent shaking can cause imbalance and a person can fall from the train," he said.
