Narrow escape for New Delhi-Bhubaneswar Rajdhani Express, loco pilot averts major train accident in Jharkhand

A major train accident was averted in Jharkhand's Bokaro after a tractor rammed into a railway gate near Santhaldih level crossing when the New Delhi-Bhubaneswar Rajdhani Express (Train No. 22812) was passing from there on Tuesday evening, a railway official said.

The incident took place at Santhaldih level crossing near Bhojudih railway station and the tractor got stuck between the railway track and the gate.

“At Santhaldih level crossing at Bhojudih railway station in Bokaro district, a tractor hit the railway gate while it was closing. However, the driver applied the brakes and stopped the train, preventing any major accident,” Manish Kumar, DRM, Adra division, South Eastern Railway told as per reports.

Kumar said the incident took place around 5 pm and the train was delayed by about 45 minutes.

He said the tractor has been impounded and an FIR has been lodged at the concerned police station while the doorman has been suspended.

The tractor driver fled the scene.

The incident comes barely days after one of the country's worst train tragedies at Bahanaga Bazar station in Balasore district that left 278 dead and over 1,100 injured after the Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express, Shalimar-Chennai Central derailed. Coromandel Express and freight train loaded with iron.