Cop rescues 70 from derailed train

The presence of mind of a police officer Sylendra Babu, an army officer and a student, helped at least 70 people

The presence of mind of a police officer Sylendra Babu, an army officer and a student, helped at least 70 people 8212; including several women and children 8212; escape when a bogie capsized after the Cheran Express from Coimbatore to Chennai derailed near Vaniyambadi in Tamil Nadu in the wee hours of Sunday.

A seventy-year-old woman, however, was admitted to Ambur General Hospital with grievous injuries, a Southern Railway spokesperson said. Eight others suffered minor injuries.

8220;At about 3.20 am on Sunday, there was a huge trembling sound from the engine and the train came to a sudden halt. I got out and saw that some bogies had derailed and the one next to my bogie had turned on its side. There was smoke coming from beneath,8217;8217; Sylendra Babu, who was traveling from Erode to Chennai, told The Indian Express.

Hearing the loud wailing and shrieking sounds from the capsized bogie 8212; a third class A/C sleeper 8212; a police officer immediately rushed to assess the situation.

8220;While one exit was lying facing the ground, the other exit was jammed against another bogie,8217;8217; explained Sylendra Babu. With some assistance from an army officer 8212; Senthil and college student 8212; Manikandan, the police officer used a pickaxe and managed to rip off the canvas of the vestibule of the capsized bogie.

8220;Then we managed to hold the shutter open and pulled out some 70 odd people from inside. I rescued an old woman who had injuries on one of her legs,8217;8217; said Sylendra Babu. The woman, Seethalakshmi, was admitted to the Ambur Government Hospital, she was said to be critical.

The incident occurred at Vinnamangalam railway station between Vaniyambadi and Ambur in north Tamil Nadu on Sunday morning.

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While four bogies derailed, one capsized. While several young men managed to squeeze out, shouting for help, most of the passengers were trapped inside.

It was a good one hour before the Railway8217;s rescue team arrived. By then, thanks to Sylendra Babu, Senthil and Manikandan, the passengers were out, though in a state of shock. An enquiry by the Commissioner, Railway Safety, has been ordered.