Train accident: Probe to commence tomorrow

CHENNAI: Probe into the train accident near Arakkonam on Tuesday night will commence here tomorrow with officials scheduled to question the driver of the MEMU train which rammed into a stationary passenger train, killing 10 persons.

The Commissioner Railway Safety will conduct the full enquiry, Chennai Divisional Railway Manager S Anantharaman told reporters here.

"If the health condition of the driver (A Rajkumar) permits, he will be questioned. Otherwise, based on doctors' advice, we will take action," he said.

Rajkumar's questioning assumes significance in the wake of Railway authorities saying the driver of the Mainline Electrical Multiple Unit (MEMU) train had jumped a few signals and ignored speed restrictions.

Meanwhile, the Government General Hospital where Rajkumar had been admitted is closely guarded and out of bounds for visitors and the media.

The CRS, Southern zone, SK Mittal will conduct an inquiry into the cause of the accident and submit a report in two or three days to the government through the Railway Board, Senior Divisional Safety Officer J Christopher Prabhakar said.