Thiruvananthapuram: Loco pilot suspended for crossing the danger signal

Thiruvananthapuram: The railway authorities on Wednesday suspended a locomotive pilot and an assistant pilot for crossing the danger signal near here while driving an express train. According to officials, loco pilot G. Sudheer and his assistant pilot N S Krishnadas of the 12696

Thiruvananthapuram-Chennai Central Superfast Express for overshooting the danger signal at the Oachira railway station near Kollam at 7.38 pm. Both the pilots are attached to the Kollam depot.

Both the technicians were subjected to breath analyser and medical tests and it was found that they were under the influence of alcohol. As per preliminary inquiries, it was a case of misjudgement on the part of the loco pilots. The railway has also ordered a comprehensive probe by senior divisional safety officer.

The locomotive and nine coaches of the train had jumped the home signalto move towards Oachira railway station on Tuesday night, violating safety norms and went ahead for more than 120 metres just when 12507 Thiruvananthapuram-Guwahati Express was leaving the Oachira station, sources said.

If the Guwahati Express had not moved from the station, it would have caused a major accident. The crew of the train had left Thiruvananthapuram Central at 5.25 pm was changed at Kollam Junction. Following the incident, loco-pilot and assistant loco-pilot were removed from duty and the train left Oachira at around 10.49 pm with another crew.