A mock drill was conducted by the Tiruchi divisional railway authorities here on Tuesday to test the alertness and preparedness of the railway officials.
The exercise commenced after an alarm was raised at around 12.10 p.m. through a siren with a message that the Tiruchi–Karaikal passenger train had rammed a tractor at an unmanned level-crossing between Needamangalam and Saliyamangalam in the Thanjavur-Tiruvarur section. The message was sent around that the accident had claimed three lives besides injuring two people and the engine had derailed.
At the sound of siren, railway officials got into action and readied equipment required for rescue. A medical relief van was immediately moved to the Tiruchi Junction to head to the “accident spot”. However, before the officials moved from Tiruchi they were told that it was only a mock drill, sources said.
— Special Correspondent
