Indian Railways honors drivers for preventing mishap by reporting rail fracture

Two engine drivers who averted a possible mishap recently after they stopped an express train following a heavy jerk caused by a rail fracture were Monday honoured by the Railways. 

Loco Pilot E V Mony Kandan and Assistant Loco Pilot S Naga Lingeswaran, both hailing from the city, were operating the Coimbatore-Mannargudi Chemmozhi Express on September 20 when they experienced a heavy jerk at around 2.50 am between Erode and Chavadipalayam stations. 

They immediately stopped the train and reported the matter to railway officials who rushed to the spot and noticed the rail fracture and rectified it, a release from Salem Railway Division said. 

Appreciating their alertness and presence of mind, Southern Railway General Manager R K Kulshreshtha presented a reward of Rs 2,000 each along with merit certificates to the two loco pilots.

(With inputs from agencies.)