Train engine catches fire, assistant loco pilot falls to death

An assistant loco pilot (ALP) of Howrah-Mumbai Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) Mail died when he fell accidentally out of the train after the engine of the train caught fire between the Talni-Dhamangaon stations on the Central Railway on Sunday evening. 

However, a possible major mishap was averted as the train’s main loco pilot — who was with the deceased ALP at that time inside the engine — applied the break and brought train to a halt. He, however, sustained burn injuries while trying to douse the fire.

The railway authorities identified the deceased ALP as one SK Vishwakerma (32).  Though the authorities said that Vishwakarma fell out of the train accidentally while observing the train as per protocol during a mishap, eyewitness accounts said that he jumped out of the train in panic.

Having sustained severe injuries from the fall, Vishwakarma succumbed later at a nearby hospital where he had been rushed to in an ambulance.

The fire originated inside train at 4.56 pm when the train was travelling between Talni-Dhamangaon stations. After ALP Vishwakarma fell accidentally out of the train apparently, main loco pilot — identified as one DA Brahme — who was circumspect in his approach — applied break and brought the train to a halt.

Bramhe doused the fire using the available extinguisher. After having been detained for nearly 45 minutes, the train left for Mumbai with a replaced engine  at around 5.40 pm.         

"The train number 12810 (HWH - CSMT) Loco no. 22936 (SRC/WAP-4) TALNI through at 16.56 hrs was detained between Talni-Dhamangaon stations, after loco pilot reported smoke inside the engine.  Assistant loco pilot SK Vishwakerma, who was injured due to a fall from the engine while observing the train as is usually done by an ALP as per procedure. He was rushed to a hospital by an ambulance. He succumbed to injuries at the hospital," Central Railway's Chief spokesperson  Sunil Udasi said.