Nagpur: A potentially horrific tragedy was narrowly avoided on Thursday when alert individuals successfully stopped a fast-moving train in the nick of time to prevent a collision with a school bus trapped at a level crossing. The incident occurred as the Chhindwara-Itwari Express approached the crossing at Khaparkheda near Nagpur, with about 40 students on board the school bus.
According to a local daily, the school bus, along with a car, stuck in the middle of the level crossing when the gateman closed the gates on either side, leaving the vehicles stranded. The students, from a well-known school, were en route to the Khaparkheda Thermal Power Station residential colony when they noticed the approaching train, which left them horror-struck.
The report said, the bus driver, conductor, and students raised an alarm, drawing the attention of local residents. These residents, recognizing the imminent danger, rushed to the tracks and began waving to signal the train driver to stop. Some passers-by picked up a red flag from a railway kiosk, while another person placed a plastic barrier in the middle of the track to catch the driver’s attention.
Fortunately, the train driver noticed the commotion and managed to halt the train before it reached the level crossing. The level crossing gates were then opened, allowing the school bus and the car to pass through safely.
Senior Inspector Dhanaji Jhalak of the Khaparkheda Police Station confirmed the incident, stating that no one was injured. He explained, “One of the gates of the level crossing possibly closed before the other one, allowing the school bus and a car to enter the crossing and get trapped in the middle. As a result, it left no scope for the two vehicles to move to safety.” Jhalak commended the passers-by for their quick actions, which drew the train driver’s attention and prevented a disaster.
The Railway Protection Force is investigating the incident, and the South East Central Railway engineering division has summoned the gateman for clarification. A source from SECR noted, “The two vehicles had erred by entering the railway crossing ignoring the closing gates. There was no harm caused to anyone, but the incident triggered some scare.”
This timely intervention by local residents and the quick response of the train driver ensured the safety of all involved, averting what could have been a tragic accident.
