Mumbai: A man trying to board a moving train almost slipped into the gap between the platform and train, but was saved by an alert Railway Protection Force official at at Andheri station on Sunday.
Assistant sub-inspector Pahup Singh was on duty when the Lok Shakti Express (train 22927) started to pull out of platform 8 after its scheduled halt. A passenger, Rajendra Mangilal (40), a resident of Seven Bungalows in Andheri, tried to hop aboard the train that was picking up speed, but lost his balance and slipped into the gap between the train and platform.
The uniformed official sprang into action and pulled the man to safety, preventing what could have been be a fatal accident. The passenger later revealed that he reached the platform late and, in a hurry, tried to board the moving train. He was to travel to Ahmedabad, and had a valid ticket for the train.
The passenger thanked assistant sub-inspector Pahup Singh for saving his life. The uniformed official later advised him to board another train, and ensured that he was guided to the Aravali Express, which was also headed for Ahmedabad.
Railway officials have once again urged passengers to avoid boarding or alighting from moving trains, as such attempts often lead to serious injuries or fatalities. Railway officials have blamed passengers for trying to alight or board from a running train for such incidents.
In 2024, 14 passengers, including two women, died after falling in the gap between the platform and the train’s footboard. This number was 10 in 2023. The city’s railway network witnessed 2,468 fatalities last year, of which nearly half were a result of track crossing. In 2023, overall deaths on the railways were only slightly fewer at 2,590.
