Title - Drunk gatekeeper leaves level crossing open

Putting many lives at risk, a railway gatekeeper failed to close the gate at a level crossing here on Tuesday night, but alert motorists waved down traffic on both sides to avert an accident, even as two trains passed through the section, railway and police officials said. Railway officials issued a charge memo and took him off duty.According to the officials, motorists spotted a train approaching the level crossing on the Peelamedu-Vilankurichi/ Thaneerpandal road, but were surprised to see the gate open.They immediately stopped traffic on both sides. They found Thangavel (46), the gatekeeper, lying in a drunken state. On receiving information, the police reached the spot and took preventive action.