Passenger's earbud tip gets stuck inside ear on moving train; what Indian Railways did next left him pleasantly surprised

A passenger travelling on the Kaveri Express received medical assistance after the silicone tip of a wireless earbud became lodged in their ear during an overnight journey. According to a Reddit post, the passenger contacted Indian Railways’ 139 helpline, following which railway staff, the Railway Protection Force (RPF) and a doctor coordinated assistance at Jolarpettai. The passenger shared the experience on Reddit, describing how an attempt to remove the earbud tip without assistance pushed it further into the left ear canal. The incident left the passenger with a blocked sensation and mild burning, prompting them to seek help while the train was on the move.

Passenger contacts Indian Railways helpline 139 after earbud mishap

According to the Reddit post, the passenger contacted the railway helpline 139 and raised an emergency request after the silicone tip became stuck inside the ear.

The passenger said they subsequently received a callback asking whether an ambulance was required. Railway staff and the RPF then became involved, and arrangements were made for a doctor to meet the train at Jolarpettai.


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The doctor examined the passenger’s ear and removed the silicone tip without causing pain, according to the account. The passenger added that the doctor checked for bleeding after the removal.

The incident was resolved without the passenger having to abandon the journey, the Reddit post said.

Reddit user praises railway staff for coordinating medical assistance

Sharing the experience on Reddit, the passenger expressed gratitude to the railway staff and medical team for responding to the request for help.

“I’m not saying every experience will be the same, and I’m sure the system has its challenges. But tonight, when I genuinely needed help, the railway staff and medical team came through for me,” the passenger wrote.

The user added that positive experiences with public services deserved to be shared alongside complaints about their shortcomings.

The account has offered a glimpse into how railway staff and medical personnel can coordinate assistance when a passenger encounters an unexpected medical problem during a journey. The details of the incident have not been independently verified.

What is Indian Railways’ 139 helpline used for?

Indian Railways’ integrated helpline 139 allows passengers to seek assistance and access railway-related services while travelling. The number brought several railway helplines together to make it easier for passengers to contact the relevant service.

According to a Ministry of Railways announcement published by the Press Information Bureau in January 2020, the integrated helpline was introduced to streamline passenger assistance. The service is also associated with Rail Madad, the railway grievance-redressal system.

Passengers can use the helpline’s interactive voice response system to access relevant assistance options, including those for medical emergencies and security-related concerns.


Disclaimer: This article is based on an account shared by a passenger on Reddit describing a medical emergency during an overnight journey on the Kaveri Express. The details, including the response by railway staff, the RPF and medical personnel, have not been independently verified by ET Online. Experiences may vary, and the account reflects the passenger’s personal experience.