He stopped a speeding train in time and averted an accident.
It was a proud moment for locomotive pilot J. Suresh when he received Anna Medal for Gallantry from Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami on the Republic Day for his swift and effective action to bring a full rake of an express train to a screeching halt before it could hit a boulder lying on the tracks.
Mr. Suresh, with his rich experience, was on his regular duty on the Madurai-Chennai special train (Vaigai Express) from Madurai to Tiruchi on November 18, 2020.
When the train crossed Kodaikanal Road station, he was in for a shock – just when the train negotiated a sharp curve, the locopilot noticed two huge boulders lying on the track.
“On seeing the boulders, I applied the emergency brake immediately. The train stopped before it could hit the boulders,” Mr. Suresh recalled.
The only other condition that helped averting a possible accident was the caution order of a restricted speed of 50 kmph on this section…