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communication from the station on the following day. He saw
reason to allow me to proceed only after I impressed upon him to
report the matter to the Superintendent of Police who was my
friend. He mounted on the pillion and I had to maneuver the
scooter at a steady speed of 10 or so kms per hour depending on
only single gear as the gear cable was cut in the impact of
accident. After we managed to reach the police quarters and I
briefed the officer about the accident the constable who rode with
me was advised to let me proceed to destination!
Cochin Express- Mangalore mail collision:
The third accident which occurred not only concerned me but a
whole lot of passengers travelling by Cochin Express.As soon as I
assumed the charge of RMS “M” Division I had to visit
Coimbatore on Inspection duty. The train I travelled by left
Central Station some 10 minutes earlier to the scheduled time of
departure of Mangalore Mail which was also allowed on the same
track as Cochin Epress.Due to some bottleneck on the track our
train had to crawl towards Perambur station when by the oversight
of Mangalore train Guard this train which was following us
rammed into the rear of our train and in the impact the Guard of
our train who was craning his neck to observe what was
happening got his head smashed by collision of the two trains. All
of us , myself and my staff who were sorting mail were jolted and
given such a rude shock that I lost balance and fell on the floor of
the compartment. Naturally the trains were halted on the outer of
Perambur station and I had to organize relief measures for my
staff. After some delay the train started moving and when it
reached Erode a major junction where I could avail some more
time than at other stations I chose to wake up my PMG from
sleep and inform him of the accident and at the same time clearly
brought out the fact that all the staff on board the train were safe.
Needless to say my PMG appreciated my presence of mind by
assuaging him of any happening of untoward nature.
Escape from car-lorry collision:
The last and more nightmarish accident was more of the nature of
close encounter or brush with death. When I was serving as Chief
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