NASHIK: Mumbai-Nanded Tapovan Express travelled about 700m in reverse Saturday to pick up a passenger who had fallen off as it approached Manmad junction. The injured passenger later died in hospital and was identified as Sarvar Shaikh, a 30-year-old from Uttar Pradesh.
“The train’s loco pilot took permission from the controller and manoeuvred the train in reverse to pick up the injured passenger,” said divisional railway manager Iti Pandey. The unusual turn of events unfolded around 11am on Saturday when the train was brought to a forced halt as the emergency chain had been pulled by someone.
“Train guard SS Kadam learnt from passengers that a man had fallen off from the third coach. Kadam got in touch with the loco pilot, MS Alam, who then contacted the controller and sought permission to go back,” said another senior officer from Manmad station.
A goods train following the Tapovan Express was stopped at an earlier station, allowing space for the latter to return and pick up the injured man.
Fellow passengers located the injured Shaikh and picked him up, after which the train proceeded to Manmad station. There, the rail authorities arranged for an ambulance in which Shaikh was taken to a local hospital for treatment. The express then continued its journey to Nanded.