2018 Amritsar train accident: Driver cleared in probe
In a major development, a magisterial inquiry into the 2018 Amritsar train accident that claimed 61 lives has gave the driver a 'benefit of the doubt' for his little late reaction. The probe was made public by the the Punjab Human Rights Organisation (PHRO), an NGO, on Saturday. The investigation was led by Jalandhar divisional commissioner, B Purushartha, who conducted a trial run of the same DMU train for over three weeks after the tragedy. The tragedy took place on October 19, 2018, during Dussehra. The report read, "In trial run, the loco pilot was able to see 40-50 people standing near the railway tracks at the accident site with their mobile lights on, some 10 metres after the gate towards the Amritsar side." "He immediately applied the emergency brakes. Although the train could not stop before the accident site but crossed it at a speed of around 40 kmph," the report said. https://www.ptcnews.tv/chandigarh-witnesses-the-coldest-december-night-in-5-years-en/ The report further added that in such circumstances, the loco pilot of DMU train mayt not be held responsible of any omission/commission or failure over his statutory duties. While concluding its report, it stated that "Was it a slow reaction by the loco pilot? This is something which only a technically qualified person can determine...”. -PTC News
