Kerala: On Wednesday, Indian Railways clarified a media report that claimed a man died during his journey from Kerala to New Delhi when an occupied upper berth fell on him.
Last week, 62-year-old Ali Khan was traveling in the sleeper coach of the Ernakulam-Hazrat Nizamuddin Millennium Superfast Express (12645) when the incident occurred.
Khan was resting on the lower berth when the upper berth, occupied by another passenger, suddenly collapsed. The impact and the weight of the passenger caused Khan significant injuries.
Railway authorities immediately took him to a hospital in Hyderabad. However, he died from his injuries during surgery.
A few days after the incident, Indian Railways clarified that the accident was not due to a defective berth. They explained that an investigation showed the upper berth wasn’t properly locked with chains by the occupant, which caused the accident.
“The passenger was traveling on seat 57 (lower berth) in the S/6 coach. The upper berth fell because the chain wasn’t placed properly. The improper chaining by the passenger caused the upper berth to fall,” said a Railway Ministry spokesperson in an official statement.
The statement mentioned that at approximately 6:34 pm on June 15, 2024, the station master on duty at Ramagundam station received a message and promptly arranged for a 108 Ambulance. The train halted unexpectedly at Ramagundam, and the passenger was transferred from the coach to the ambulance and subsequently hospitalized nearby.
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