Visakhapatnam: A mock drill was conducted by the Waltair Division of the East Coast Railway on Thursday to test the accident preparedness that comprised real time rescue and relief operations.
An accident scene was created at a siding near Simhachalam Railway Station with two bogies of a pilgrim special taking passengers from Vijayawada to Nainital via Duvvada “derailing” at 9.40 a.m. “injuring” 17 persons.
Various agencies such as NDRF, Civil Defence and the Commercial wing of the Railways lined up their men in make- shift tents. First aid centre and helpline were also set up and a number assigned to it. A fire tender and ambulances also arrived at the spot. But what brought in the action and immediate “relief” to the “wailing passengers” shouting for help was the arrival of the self-propelled accident relief van of the Railways carrying men, material, equipment and medical help.
The rescue personnel immediately brought out stretches forced open some windows and shifted the injured, to the first aid centres and waiting ambulances. |
