Train driver, co-driver failed to prevent accident: Official

KOLKATA - The driver and assistant driver of the Uttar Banga Express failed to use the brake or apply the emergency brake to avoid hitting a stationary passenger train in Sainthia in West Bengal, killing 61 people in the accident Monday, a railway official said.

The Uttar Banga Express rammed into three coaches of the Bhagalpur-Ranchi Vananchal Express early Monday leading to 61 deaths in the Birbhum district station.

“We are trying to understand where it went wrong. The pilot and co-pilot were experienced men. From prima facie evidence we have found that they did not use the brake nor did they they make any effort to apply the emergency brake,” Railway Board Chairman Vivek Sahai told media persons here.

“We found during rescue operations that both of them were sitting on their chairs at the time of accident. Any normal person will stand up and try to jump off the train. But they did not make any effort to save their lives by jumping off the train,” Sahai said.

The Sealdah-bound Uttar Banga Express rammed into three coaches, one luggage van and two unreserved second class coaches, of the stationary Bhagalpur-Ranchi Vananchal Express at Sainthia station in Birbhum, about 190 km from Kolkata, at about 2.15 a.m.

The three coaches were badly mangled due to the severity of the collision, with one going off the tracks and almost mounting the footbridge above.

Sahai said the train was running at a speed of 90 km per hour.

“We are keeping all our options open. We are conducting an investigation to find out what went wrong,” he said.

Saying the railways would investigate every angle of the accident, Sahai added: “He (the driver) ignored the whole thing. How could he commit such an error?”

Sahai said the drivers also jumped the first home signal at Sainthia which was red.

He also ruled out the driver being fatigued due to overwork, saying he had got rest for 19 hours before taking control of the Uttar Banga Express.

Asked why the railways were not using the anti-collision device, Sahai said it would be introduced in South Central and South Western railways. He also said the anti-collision device was very costly.

Asked whether it could be sabotage or a suicide attempt, Sahai said: “We are trying to understand.”

He said the Uttar Banga Express guard would be interrogated Tuesday.

Sahai claimed the number of accident cases have reduced over the past few years. He said: “I command a very devoted, obedient club of men. They are doing an excellent job.”