Train accident averted in Gurgaon

A train accident was averted Thursday in Gurgaon following quick thinking by the train's driver after a car came on the tracks at a crossing due to the negligence of the gateman, railway police said.

Gateman Vijay Kumar, deputed at the Sarai Alawardi railway level crossing near Gurgaon, was suspended and booked on charges of endangering the safety of people. The gateman fled after the incident.

The Shatabdi Express was on its way from Delhi to Ajmer Thursday morning, and was about to stop at the Gurgaon railway station.

"The gateman was informed about the arrival of the train but he did not close the gate at the Sarai Alawardi crossing," a Railway Protection Force official told IANS.

On seeing a car on the tracks, the train driver slowed down and applied emergency brakes, he said.

The train was forced to stop there for over 20 minutes.

There were some school children in the car, and the car driver became nervous and stopped the vehicle on the tracks on seeing the coming train.

"The real reason behind the incident will be established after the arrest of the gateman," the officer added.