Title - Teen alerts train on loose plate

BHUBANESWAR: Passengers of Puri-Banspani Express had a miraculous escape on Wednesday as a teenager alerted the driver about a loose plate on the track near Lingaraj station. The driver brought the train to a screeching halt.

The boy, whose identity was not ascertained, waved his red-coloured towel in front of the approaching train around 7.30 am. He had come to relieve himself along the track when he spotted the loose track. Sensing trouble, he removed the towel he was wearing and started waving it at the approaching train.

Panic gripped the passengers after they learnt about the incident. The East Coast Railway has suspended a keyman for alleged dereliction of duty. "Preliminary investigation went against the keyman, whose job was to patrol on the track. We are conducting a departmental inquiry into his negligence," a railway officer said. "Soon after being alerted by the local youth, out safety team rushed to the spot. Since the defect was not serious, the train was allowed to ply on the same track at 30km/hr. The loose plate was later tightened," the railway officer added.