LUCKNOW: Hours after Shakurbasti-Mathura MEMU (04446) broke through the platform of Mathura junction on Tuesday late night, the six-member team initial joint report in the accident has found that, a "helper" was sent to get key of the driving trailer coach (DTC) cab (engine), and he was inebriated and continuously watching mobile phone.
Unwary about his surroundings, he carelessly kept his bag on the throttle of the engine, taking it into forward position and ultimately crashing the MEMU into the station platform.
The helper was identified as Sachin. The 28-page report accessed by TOI stated that generally technicians receive the DTC cab key, however, in this case, the technician-1 Harmaan Singh sent Sachin to receive the key.
Investigation report read that the 04446 arrived at Mathura station at 10.49 pm.
Attributing to the crew voice and video recording system (CCVRS) data of 04446, the team found that after the train arrived at the platform and loco pilots alighted from the DTC cab, the ETL (electrical and train lighting) staff Sachin entered the cab to take the keys while watching his mobile phone. He carelessly kept his bag on the throttle of the engine and again got busy on his mobile. The throttle, due to the pressure of the bag, went into forward position and let the MEMU move toward the platform. Within a minute of his entering the cab, the train broke the buffer dead end, and half of the cab climbed on platform number 2. This incident caused breakdown of overhead electric wire and halted train operations.
The report further said that a breathalyzer test conducted on Sachin showed a reading of 47 mg/100 ml which indicated that he had consumed alcohol.
A written statement from Sachin to junior engineer of train rake depot Mathura, read that as per the instruction of his duty in-charge Harmaan Singh, he was asked for the key of the cab from the loco pilot who told him that it was inside the cab.
"When I entered the cab and kept my bag, the train started moving on its own. He said that he got scared and by the time he applied the emergency brake, the train had entered the platform. I informed my in-charge about the incident, and he found that the throttle was in forward position and key was in ‘ON’ position," wrote Sachin.
Sachin blamed the loco pilot Govind Hari Sharma for keeping the train function in switched on position. However, the loco pilot Sharma, in his written statement said that he had handed over the key to Sachin Kumar before the alighting from the cab.
Speaking to TOI, CPRO NCR zone Himanshu Upadhaya said, "Five staff involved in train operations and maintenance have been suspended."
The suspended staff were identified as helper Sachin Kumar, loco-pilot Govid Hari Sharma, and technicians Harman Singh alias Harbhan Singh, Brajesh Kumar and Kuljeet.
"A detailed investigation is on," added CPRO
