A freight train in India caused significant alarm after it traveled approximately 70 kilometers (43 miles) without a driver on board. However, the incident occurred in Indian lines and thankfully, no injuries were reported.
A freight train in India went on a surprising journey of over 70 kilometers without a driver. The incident happened when the train was parked on a slope in Kathua, Jammu, and Kashmir, and started moving after the driver got off. It traveled to Hoshiarpur district in Punjab before it was brought to a stop.
The train, loaded with gravel, was traveling from the state of Jammu and Kashmir to Punjab. A scheduled crew change at the Kathua railway station left the train momentarily unattended. Moreover, it is believed that during this time, the train’s brakes were not properly engaged, and it began to roll downhill.
The runaway train picked up speed as it traveled, reaching speeds of up to 100 kilometers per hour (62 mph). Railway officials were alerted to the situation and worked to halt the train’s progress. Ultimately, the train was stopped near Unchi Bassi railway station in Punjab after wooden blocks were placed on the tracks.
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Videos on social media showed the train zooming past stations at high speed. Thankfully, nobody was hurt during this unusual event. The train, loaded with chip stones, was supposed to travel from Jammu to Punjab but made an unexpected detour.
Besides, Railway officials swiftly acted, closing off railway crossings along its route. They managed to stop the train by placing wooden blocks on the tracks. Now, investigations are underway to figure out exactly why the train moved without its driver. Officials aim to prevent such incidents from happening again in the future.
Indian Railways has launched a full investigation into the incident. The probe will focus on identifying the exact cause of the runaway train and determining what measures can be taken to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.