Rayagada:Alertness and timely action by the loco pilot of a goods train,a major mishap could be averted in Rayagada district today.Sources said the good train hit an ambulance on railway track near Kanipai,between Sikarpai and Balumaska stations.The ambulance with patients from Kalyansinghpur block was proceeding to a private hospital for eye surgery.While crossing the railway track near Kanipai,it was hit by the goods train.The train reportedly dragged the ambulance for nearly 100 meters,creating panic among the occupants in the ambulance,including eight patients and the driver and an ASHA worker.However,no one injured in the mishap,as the loco pilot applied emergency brakes seeing the ambulance.The irony is that,the railway track where the mishap took place is not a regular crossing and no level crossing is there.But the people in the area use the place to cross the road due to shortcut route.After the mishap,the Railways filed a case for unauthorisedly crossing the railway tracks on the Koraput-Rayagada line.Railway sources said,though no one injured fortunately,but using the railway track is illigal.It further stated that,both sides of the railway track at the spot were fenced,which were illegally removed by locals to fecilitate the unauthorised crossing.The sources further said,expressing their serious concern the railway authorities said,trespassing on railway tracks is a serious offence and poses significant risks to life and safety and advised the public to refrain from such practice and to adhere to safety regulations to avoid such incidents in the future.
