Express train has miraculous escape

KOCHI: Passengers in Hubli-Kochuveli Express, bound for Kochuveli had a miraculous escape, thanks to timely action by the loco pilot who brought the train to halt when he noticed that something hit the engine. It was found that two branches of coconut palm were placed on the track. They were thrown up and hit the engine. Some wooden logs were also placed on the track.

It was suspected that they could have been placed to derail the train as they were brought from a faraway place and placed on the track, police said, adding investigation was going on. As the engine developed a snag following the incident, the train was detained at Chalakudy station to replace the engine. The train resumed its journey after a delay of more than three hours. Following the incident, many trains towards Thiruvananthapuram were running late, railway officials said.