An elderly couple from Tenkasi, Tamil Nadu, emerged as unsung heroes in the dead of night, preventing a potential train disaster near Bhagavathipuram railway station.
Shanmugaiah (66) and Kurunthamma (60), both dedicated rubber plantation workers, acted swiftly when a truck crashed onto the railway tracks, endangering the lives of many.
The incident happened in the early hours of Sunday when the couple spotted a lorry that had fallen onto the rail near the S bend on the road to Kerala, close to Sengottai in Tenkasi district. Realizing the imminent danger, Shanmugaiah and Kurunthamma, armed with nothing but a torchlight, raced towards the oncoming Palaruvi Express train, waving their light at the loco pilot.
Their brave and selfless act successfully caught the attention of the train’s operator, who promptly halted the approaching express train. This decisive intervention by the elderly couple averted what could have been a catastrophic accident, saving countless lives on board and preventing extensive damage.
Sources indicate that the accident report was swiftly communicated to higher authorities, prompting an immediate response from railway staff and local police to assess and address the situation. The Divisional Railway Manager, Sharad Srivastava, acting on behalf of Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishanaw, is set to visit Shanmugaiah and Kurunthamma of Puliyarai in Tenkasi district on Tuesday. The visit aims to express gratitude and felicitate the couple for their exemplary courage and timely action in preventing a potential train disaster.
The couple’s vigilance and prompt response underscore the critical role ordinary citizens can play in averting disasters and ensuring the safety of fellow citizens.