Runaway goods train travels 84 km unmanned as driver forgets hand brake, caught on video
The incident took place on Sunday around 7 am when the train, carrying concrete, started its downhill journey towards Pathankot due to the slope.
In an uncommon occurrence, a goods train stationed at Kathua station in Jammu and Kashmir began moving autonomously, covering a distance of 84 kilometers before coming to a stop in Punjab’s Mukerian district.
The incident took place on Sunday around 7 am when the train, carrying concrete, started its downhill journey towards Pathankot due to the slope, as confirmed by officials.
Reportedly, the locomotive was left in operation while the driver and co-driver were undergoing a crew change at Kathua station. However, it seems that the handbrake was not engaged before they disembarked.
Sources from the railway speculated that the train’s cabin might not have been adequately secured during the crew swap, leading to the incident. Fortunately, the situation was managed at the Unchi Bassi station point with the help of drivers and personnel from passenger trains, despite multiple unsuccessful attempts to halt the train.
Thankfully, the absence of any approaching trains on the same track prevented a major accident, and there were no reported damages or injuries. The Railway authorities have launched an investigation into the matter to ascertain its cause.
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