Siliguri: The assistant loco pilot of the good train, who is undergoing treatment in a hospital, has said that he and the driver had immediately pulled the brakes but could not stop from ramming into Kanchanjungha Express on Monday.
Narrating the terrifying experience of the accident, Manu Kumar, the assistant loco pilot said the deceased loco pilot had pulled the brakes and even asked him to do the same. The driver (deceased Anil Kumar) had reportedly told him, "Manu samne train hain! Main brake laga raha hoon. Tu bhi jor se khich. Bagi (coach) paltega to palatne de. Tu jor se brake mar".
Manu recalled how both of them pulled the brakes hard but nothing worked and the freight train hit the rear end of the Kanchanjungha Express, which was standing in Nirmaljot area of Phansidewa block adjacent to Siliguri.
This was the initial statement given by Manu while lying on the bed of the nursing home. He is the only witness to the horrific accident and can reveal to the railway officials as to what had exactly happened on that day.
Manu has sustained severe injuries in the accident and is currently undergoing treatment at a nursing home in Siliguri. The investigators could not take his complete statement as he is admitted in the ICU of the hospital.
Chief Commissioner of Railway Safety, Janak Kumar Garg is conducting a thorough investigation of the incident. He has already recorded several statements in connection with the accident.
The biggest question that faces the interrogators is how could the freight train run at a speed of 70 km per hour when its speed limit should have been 15 km per hour. Railway officials have approached Manu several times to take his statement but could not progress much since he is mentally weak. Due to his scary experience, Manu is not talking much and is currently undergoing psychiatric treatment.
