Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (MS)

Mangaluru, Apr 4: An elderly woman showed exemplary presence of mind and averted a possible train accident by waving red cloth to the loco pilot to prevent the train from approaching a tree that fell on the railway track.

Chandravati (70), a resident of Kudupu Ayara Mane, is the woman who saved the lives of scores of passengers on the train from a possible train accident.

The incident occurred on March 21 at Mandara near Pachanady between Padil-Jokatte stretch. Around 2.10 pm, a tree fell on the railway track. Matsyagandha express train from Mangaluru to Mumbai was about to pass through the same spot within a short time. Chandravati, who sensed danger, immediately took a piece of red cloth and waved at the loco pilot, who sensed danger and slowed down the train and stopped it ahead of the fallen tree.

Later, the tree was cleared from the tracks by locals and railway department personnel.

Chandravati said, “I just had my lunch and was standing in the verandah of my house. My elder sister was sleeping inside the house. I heard a huge sound of something falling. When I came out a huge tree had fallen on the railway track. I knew that it was the time for the train to Mumbai to arrive on the track. I came inside the house to inform someone. In the meantime, I heard the horn of the train. By the grace of God, I saw a red cloth lying nearby in the house. I ran to the railway track and waved the same at the loco pilot. I have had heart surgery. But I did not care, considering the danger of a train hitting a tree.”

Local resident Anant Karant said, “The tree fell on railway track near Ayaramen. Chandravati, who knew that Matsyagandha train is about to pass through the track ran inside the house brought a red cloth and waved the same from the other track. On getting information, locals got together and cleared the tree from the track. The train had to stop for half an hour.”