MP train mishap: Finally, asst driver surfaces at DRM office

Assistant driver Ram Singh, who mysteriously disappeared from the October 3 Bundelkhand Express accident site near the Datia railway station...

Assistant driver Ram Singh, who mysteriously disappeared from the October 3 Bundelkhand Express accident site near the Datia railway station, finally ‘‘surfaced’’ at the premises of Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) office on Wednesday morning.

Ram Singh visited the DRM office to appear before Commissioner of Railway Safety R K Kardam, who began probe into the accident today. Thirteen passengers were killed in the accident.

‘‘Ram Singh visited the DRM office here. But his statement could not be recorded today. He will turn up before the commissioner tomorrow,’’ said Jhansi rail division PRO Ram Avatar over phone.

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Sources said Ram Singh had escaped from the accident site and managed to reach Gwalior. ‘‘He had reported to his seniors after reaching Gwalior. As per our report, he was not in the engine bogey when the accident took place. He shifted to a sleeper coach at the Jhansi Railway Station for attending nature’s call,’’ the sources said.

Earlier, the disappearance of Ram Singh had created confusion. Railway Board Chairman J.P. Batra had also sought information about him (Ram Singh) on October 3.

Railway officials remained tight-lipped on the communication between the deceased driver and the guard of Bundelkhand Express on ‘‘walkie talkie’’ after the train crossed Karari Railway Station a few minutes before the accident.

‘‘The accident may have been caused due to a faulty engine. There is a report about the failure on the part of Jhansi Railway Station authorities in changing the train’s engine despite getting a prior message regarding a fault in the running engine,’’ another source said.