CST yard collision injures five

Mumbai: The engine of a long-distance train that was being tested at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSTM) yard unexpectedly shot into motion and collided with another engine, injuring five Central Railway (CR) working staff at 1.45 am on Saturday.

The engine belonged to the Koyna Express and was being tested before it could be attached to the Indrani Express when, sources claim, it picked up speed before the driver (or shunter in railway terminology) could react.

Throwing light on the bizarre incident, an official said, “Engines are usually taken to the pit in the yard, where the undercarriage is inspected and a speed test is done. During this incident the engine, which was static, suddenly started up and went full speed ahead, hitting another engine facing the other side.”

 While a accident relief train (ART) was deployed by 2.45 am, loco-pilot S.V. Solanki, assistant loco-pilot Om Hazare, pointsman Sujit Kumar, fitter Ranjan Kumar and khalasi Avdesh Kumar were injured in the incident. Sujit Kumar is said to be grievously wounded. An inquiry has been ordered  and a complete inspection of the engine in question is being concluded.