A major accident was averted on Wednesday when a freight train, left unattended on the tracks, suddenly started moving and crashed into six stationary railway wagons at the Adityapur railway station in Jamshedpur. While the incident caused significant material damage and sent workers scrambling for safety, no casualties or injuries were reported.
The Chain of Events: A Runaway Train
According to eyewitness accounts, the freight train, comprising 32 empty rakes, was parked near Sharma Basti. Without any warning, the massive train began rolling downhill. It traveled uncontrolled for nearly 300 metres before slamming into six condemned wagons that were parked on a shunting line.
The force of the collision was so intense that the freight train did not stop there. It broke through the gate of an adjacent wagon repair centre and crashed inside the facility. The impact caused several wagons to derail, with some even climbing on top of others, creating a scene of substantial wreckage.
Eyewitness Accounts and Official Response
Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel present at the site expressed surprise at the event. An official pointed out that safety measures had been in place. "It is quite surprising that despite wheel stops being placed on the track and the front wagon tied to the track with chains, the rake rolled down," the eyewitness stated.
Another railway official confirmed the panic that ensued. "Some workers, who were present at the repairing centre, panicked and ran for cover on time on hearing the crash," he said, highlighting how a major tragedy was narrowly avoided.
However, senior officials from the Chakradharpur railway division of South Eastern Railways (SER) sought to downplay the severity. Aditya Choudhary, the senior divisional commercial manager, termed it a "minor mishap." He confirmed, "It was a minor incident. No casualties have been reported. The extent of damage is being assessed, and the cause of the incident is being investigated."
Aftermath and Investigation
The immediate aftermath of the crash saw a disrupted railway yard with derailed and mangled wagons. While the physical damage to railway property is still being evaluated, the incident has raised questions about operational safety protocols for stationary trains. A formal probe has been initiated by the railway authorities to determine the exact cause of the failure that led the secured train to move unexpectedly, aiming to prevent a recurrence of such a dangerous event.
