Mumbai Bridge Collapse: Rs 5 Lakh Reward For Local Train Driver Chandrashekhar Sawant Who 'Saved Lives' by Applying Emergency Brakes

Mumbai, July 3: Union Railways Minister Piyush Goyal has awarded Rs five lakh to Chandrashekhar Sawant, the driver of a local train who averted major tragedy during the collapse Andheri bridge with his alertness. As soon as he saw the bridge coming down he applied brakes on time to ensure the train should be stuck under debris.

Chandrshekhar’s alertness saved lives of the passengers. He has been working in Railways since 1997. Goyal during his visit to take stalk of the situation lauded Chandrashekhar’s effort. Rail traffic on the western line took a severe hit after the collapse. A rescue team reached the spot immediately, and the rescue work was completed with the help of NDRF team.

Earlier in the morning, the Gokhale bridge connecting Andheri east to west over the railway tracks collapsed amid the heavy rainfall. According to the railways minister, the foot-over-bridge was among the hundreds which were audited last year after the stampede broke out at Elphinstone Station in which 22 people died while 32 others sustained injuries. Goyal also said,"I got the design of the bridge studied. This bridge is Cantilever bridge and is around 40 years old. Safety audit will be done of 445 bridges in Mumbai suburban. As per findings of audit, necessary action will be taken at the earliest."

At least five were injured after a portion of the bridge collapsed at around 7:30 am. The incident could have turned fatal if the driver had not applied brakes on time.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 03, 2018 09:42 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).