Railway Worker Dies in Barauni Junction Accident Due to Miscommunication, Investigation Finds

Begusarai: A tragic accident at Barauni Junction in Begusarai has claimed the life of railway worker Amar Kumar, who was fatally crushed between a train engine and a bogie on Saturday. The incident, caused by a miscommunication between railway staff, was confirmed in a report by the Divisional Railway Manager (DRM), Dr. Vivek Bhushan Sood.

The investigation found railway worker Mohammad Suleman responsible for the accident, which occurred while Kumar and Suleman were detaching the engine from the Lucknow-Barauni train (number 15204). Suleman, tasked with coordinating between loco shunter Rakesh Roshan and Kumar, mistakenly signaled the engine to reverse, leading to the fatal incident.

According to the report, Kumar had gone to detach the engine when Suleman incorrectly directed the loco pilot to move the train backwards instead of forward. Suleman realised the mistake and signaled the loco pilot to move forward, but by that time, Kumar had already been crushed between the engine and the power car. The confusion and lack of proper communication between the two railway workers led to the tragic outcome.

The DRM-commissioned five-member investigative committee confirmed that Suleman’s miscommunication was the primary cause of the accident. The report stated: “The wrong signal given by Mo. Suleman resulted in Amar Kumar’s death.” The team also noted a lack of coordination between Suleman and Kumar during the detachment process.

The investigation gathered statements from key personnel, including Suleman, loco shunter Rakesh Roshan, and station master (SM) Nagmani Kumar. Suleman defended his actions, claiming that he was present near the engine during the detachment process but the engine reversed before his signal. “Amar Kumar was caught between the engine and the coach when the loco backed without my signal,” he said.

Roshan, the loco shunter on duty, provided a different account. He stated that he had received a signal from Suleman to move the engine forward. “After I moved the engine, Suleman informed me that Amar Kumar had been crushed,” he said.

Station master Nagmani Kumar, who was in charge at the time, said that he sent Suleman and Kumar to assist in the detachment process. “At around 8:30 am, I was informed by LCP Sonu Kumar that Amar Kumar was stuck between the loco and the coach,” he said.

The report has highlighted the critical need for better communication and coordination during routine railway operations to prevent such incidents in the future.