Mathura Train Accident: A high-level probe had been ordered into the incident
A stationary train jumped its tracks and climbed onto a platform in Uttar Pradesh's Mathura on Tuesday night after a man - preoccupied with a video call on his phone - dumped his bag on the throttle. A woman was injured in the shocking incident and a high-level probe has been ordered.
CCTV footage of the incident opens with a man in a white shirt, presumably a Railways employee, at the controls. He appears to bring the train to a controlled halt and then picks up his bag - which is on the floor of the cab - and leaves. A second man, in a blue t-shirt, then enters and closes the cab door.
At this point he is already on a video call on his phone and, with his attention on the device, takes off his bag and dumps it on top of the control panel. The cab door, apparently unlocked, then swings open and it is evident the train is now travelling at a significant speed.
Caught by surprise the man - identified as Sachin - grabs at the controls, without letting go of his phone, and slams on the brakes. The train then rolls back off the platform.
Divisional Railway Manager Tej Prakash Agrawal said five people, including Sachin, had been suspended and a high-level probe ordered to ascertain the "exact cause of the incident".
Authorities are also looking into the possibility Sachin - who went into the cabin to get keys - was drunk. Sources told NDTV he has been sent for a medical test and blood samples have been taken.