A Karur-bound Diesel Electric Multiple Unit (DEMU) train hit a lorry that had got stuck in slush close to the railway track at Thennur on Tuesday evening causing detention of the train for over an hour.
The front portion of the goods carrier, which had unloaded concrete sleepers near the spot moments before the accident occurred, was badly damaged.
There was no injury to rail passengers. The accident occurred shortly after the train (76835) left Tiruchi junction around 6.15 p.m.
After unloading cement concrete sleepers at Thennur, the lorry driver was trying to turn the vehicle when its front tyres got stuck in the slush following heavy rain in the evening.
The front portion of the goods carrier came close to the track after the vehicle got stranded.
The lorry driver escaped from the spot abandoning the vehicle.
Railway sources said the loco pilot, who was driving the train at a slow speed, applied brakes upon noticing the goods carrier close to the BG track.
Since the braking distance was short, the left end of the power car hit the lorry before coming to a halt, said a senior railway official.
The windscreen and the front portion of the goods carrier were completely damaged. Upon receipt of information, railway officials rushed to the spot and a crane was pressed into service to remove the lorry.
The passenger train left the spot after its brakes were found fit for its onward movement. The train left around 7.25 p.m. after suffering detention for over an hour.
Railway Protection Force, Tiruchi, have registered a case.
