Seven passengers travelling by the Ajmer-Ernakulam Marusagar Express who complained of uneasiness after consuming food on the train were treated at the General Hospital and Malik Dinar Hospital here on Saturday night. The passengers showed symptoms of food poisoning, hypertension, and low pulse rate, said a senior Railway official. The train reached Kasaragod station at 11.02 p.m.
On being alerted from Mangalore about the commotion on the train, Railway officials had requisitioned the services of a team of physicians and paramedical staff from the hospitals. The District Medical Officer and the Railway Divisional Medical Officer from Mangalore, who reached here by the same train, and his counterpart from Kannur supervised the medical treatment.
Three ambulances from the hospitals and the Fire and Rescue Services and police personnel were requisitioned at the station by 10 p.m., an hour ahead of the arrival of the train that reached here after halting at Mangalore Junction, to facilitate treatment to the affected persons.
The seven affected passengers, including Mohammed Kutty (35), Mohammed Ali (35), both hailing from Perinthalmanna, and Abu Baker (64) from Mannarcaud, were admitted to the General Hospital and Malik Dinar Hospital. They were discharged by 3 a.m. and could continue their onward journey on the Ernakulam-bound Mangala Express from Delhi at 3.30 a.m., he said.
A few other affected passengers, in S-11 and S-12 coaches of the train, were administered first aid at the railway station. The train was allowed special stoppages at Kanhangad, Tanur, Pattambi as requested by the affected passengers, they said.
The passengers complained about the “rude” behaviour of the pantry car manager.
Piyush Aggarwal, Divisional Railway Manager, Palakkad, had promised to take up the matter with the Railway Ministry, he said.
